Many diabetics achieve better blood sugar control with the use of insulin pumps than with multiple daily injections.However, the degree of penetration of this therapy is scarce despite the fact that Castilla-La Mancha, with a percentage of 5.5 percent, is above the national average (4%), according to the Federation of Spanish Diabetics(Fede).
The New Diabetes Technology Unit of the General University Hospital of Ciudad Real (HGUCR), which also includes continuous glucose monitoring systems, has a total of 40 patients with insulin pump, which must be added to theSix minors that carry pediatrics.A very scarce figure considering that the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) British recommends that 50 percent of those under 12 with type 1 diabetes are in pump therapy.
"There are only three hospitals of the Health Service of Castilla-La Mancha (SESCAM) with this consultation," says the endocrine Jesús Moreno.Thus, apart from the HGUCR, where it has been operating since January 2012, only the University Hospital Complex of Albacete and La Mancha-Centro de Alcázar de San Juan include this provision in its portfolio of services.And that of Ciudad Real is a reference for Valdepeñas, Puertollano and Manzanares.
"One of the quality criteria for patients with type 1 diabetes is that at least 10 percent is in insulin pump treatment," says Moreno, who affects its cost-effectiveness by reducing serious complications of aPathology in which not only suffers the heart.And it is that this metabolic disease is linked to a series of chronic alterations that put at risk the quality of life and physical abilities of those who suffer.
Among them, diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy, erectile dysfunction and diabetic foot."The clinical benefit is very important," says the expert explaining that "glycosylated hemoglobin levels fall half a point with the pump compared to insulin feathers."According to the Federation of Castilla-La Mancha of Diabetic Associations (Fedicam), "its use reduces up to four times the risk of hypoglycemia, quite frequent events that-in a third of cases-patients suffer while sleeping."
But the lack of treatment, whose initial cost is about 6,000 euros plus 3,000 per year, has made it in recent years.Not surprisingly, according to the endocrine pediatrician Patricio Giralt, who was president of the Foundation of Castilla-La Mancha for Diabetes (FUCAMDI), «for two months we have the option of requesting them again after a season in which it has not beenpossible".Good news since, regardless of reducing comorbidities, it has a very positive impact on the quality of life of patients."It ends a good number of punctures and, in addition, allows the treatment to be better adapting to its schedules and customs," says Dr. Moreno, which is part of the new technologies working group of the Spanish Diabetes Society (THIRST).
"It is not the same to inject insulin 18 times in three days as one," he says.But not everyone is a candidate for an insulin bomb."It does not work alone," clarifies the endocrinologist of the HGUCR leaving out those diabetic patients who do not follow diets or worry about controlling their glucose levels."An insulin bomb in a demotivated child can become a bomb," Giralt also warns from pediatrics.
Moreno highlights that "patients with diabetes (a disease that affects 370 million people in the world), what bothers them are the usual and annoying punctures in their fingers."In this sense, glucose sensors-What are changed every two weeks- they have finished with them.The new blood sugar monitoring systems, which entered the scene in September last year, have been a revolution.And it is that with a painless scan, in less than a second, the reader allows to check the current status of glucose.
In this regard, from the Association of Diabetics of Ciudad Real (adding), its president, María Eugenia Ruiz urges the Health Service of Castilla-La Mancha (SESCAM) to include them in the catalog of benefits and make it available to all theAffected, "have or not have insulin bomb.""It is for sale for about 60 euros, but not everyone can afford it," says Ruiz, affecting that "the 200 strips we use the diabetics per month in the glycemia controls (where the drop of blood is placed by pricking thefinger) come out for the same price ».
better quality of life.Ruiz, who already makes use of them, shows that "the measurements are the one that allow us to balance glucose levels."And with the monitoring system they can be as many as the patient wants."With the insulin bomb - which allows you to adjust the doses - and with the sensors our quality of life improves as it does not appear as many complications as this disease has," emphasizes the president of adding.
Among the claims of the Association of Diabetics of Ciudad Real, it also is that of needles for insulin feathers that alter the correct absorption of this hormone.«The Sescam changed them, we imagined that attending to economic criteria, for some who click worse.In addition, the syringes take air, ”Ruiz denounces on behalf of all insulin -dependent diabetics of the province.
