Building Competency in Diabetes Education THE ESSENTIALS

BASAL-BOLUS INSULIN THERAPY | 12-65

use. Other Apps may be available.

• There are few studies available that evaluate the use of an insulin calculator on A1C. Ziegler et al. found use of a meter with an automated bolus calculator improved A1C and treatment satisfaction without increasing the risk of severe hypoglycemia (130). The study of 218 participants included people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes treated with MDI and an A1C at baseline of 8.8%. At the end of the six-month study, more people in the bolus calculator group achieved a greater than 0.5% A1C reduction compared to the standard group (56% vs 34.4% p<0.01). Van Neil and Geelhoed-Duijvestijn found the use of a meter with a bolus calculator slightly improved A1C (statistically nonsignificant), however, participants expressed greater confidence in their ability to correct BG levels, had a better understanding of the need for self blood glucose monitoring and 38% injected insulin more appropriately when compared with prestudy behaviours (131).Barnard et al. also found that use of a meter with an automated bolus calculator reduced the fear of hypoglycemia and improved confidence in dosage accuracy (132).