A new monitoring device measures glucose levels continuously for up to seven days in people with diabetes.

The STS-7 continuous glucose monitoring system measures glucose levels every five minutes throughout a seven-day period. The system uses a disposable sensor (replaced weekly) placed just below the skin in the abdomen to measure the level of glucose in the fluid found in the body's interstitial fluid. Sensor placement causes minimal discomfort and can easily be done by patients themselves. An alarm can be programmed to sound if a patient's glucose level reaches pre-set lows or pre-set highs.

The additional information can be used to detect patterns and developments in glucose levels throughout the week that would not be captured by fingerstick measurements alone. However, diabetics must still rely on the fingerstick test to decide whether additional insulin is needed. The STS-7 system is manufactured by DexCom (San Diego, CA, USA), and has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA; Rockville, MD, USA).

“The STS-7 system supplements standard fingerstick meters and test strips, providing diabetics ages 18 and older with a way to see trends and track patterns,” said Daniel Schultz, M.D., director of the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health. “It can help detect when glucose levels drop during the overnight hours, show when glucose levels rise between meals, and suggest how exercise and diet might affect glucose levels.”

An estimated 5-10% of diabetics have type 1 diabetes, which results from the body's failure to produce insulin, and must take insulin every day. While there is no known cure, studies have shown that patients who regularly monitor and regulate their blood glucose levels have lower incidences of complications associated with the disease.

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