Source: gencraft.com
Did you know?
According to a statistic by the CDC, 38.4 million Americans (which is about 11.6% of the U.S. population) were suffering from diabetes in 2021.
Thanks to the changing lifestyle, unhealthy food habits, irregular sleep schedules, and increased stress levels, this number is only expected to grow in the upcoming years. Not only in the U.S., but the number of diabetic patients throughout the world is increasing at an alarming rate. While these numbers are concerning, it is important to note that 8.7 million cases out of these were of undiagnosed diabetes.
Blood sugar tests/blood glucose monitoring is one of the most prevalent methods of diabetes diagnosis. Traditionally, this method was limited to certain testing procedures identifying the amount of glucose in the urine and later blood. With time, faster and more accurate ways of glucose monitoring were introduced, giving birth to various blood glucose monitoring devices. In this case study, we will shed light on how these devices have become a game-changer in diabetes diagnosis and treatment. But before moving forward with these devices, let us first peep into the history to address the issues with the traditional glucose monitoring methods.
A Brief History of Glucose Monitoring
The history of glucose monitoring for diabetes diagnosis dates back to 1908 when Stanley Rossiter Benedict developed a reagent to detect certain sugars in the urine. This procedure, popularly known as Benedict’s test, was used for over half a decade with some modifications. In 1945, since the heating processes got simplified over time, a new test called ‘Clinitest’ was invented, which used a modified copper reagent tablet. The process involved oxidizing glucose and the color of the heated solution was directly proportional to the amount of glycosuria.
The next development came in 1965 when Ames developed the first blood glucose test strip. Initially, it was not allowed to be used at home and was available only at physician’s offices. This was followed by the discovery of the first blood glucose meter, developed in 1970 by Anton Clemens. However, despite the convenience of use compared to the previous methods, accuracy was an issue with blood glucose meters. This led to the invention of the Dextrometer in the 1980s. Around the same time, the number of people opting for self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) started increasing and SMBG became the standard of care.
During the next 20-30 years, the SMBG technology witnessed transformations. A smaller amount of blood was required for the tests than the previous ones. Moreover, the invention of electrochemical strips, hematocrits with varied ranges, and improved enzymatic tests were some of the pioneering breakthroughs in this area. The concept of home glucose monitoring was further developed with the introduction of Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM), giving birth to the modern, technologically advanced blood glucose monitoring devices used today. Accuracy, reliability, and speed are the prominent factors that make these devices the go-to tool for blood glucose monitoring and diabetes diagnosis. Now, let’s discuss these advantages in detail.
What makes Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices different?
Blood glucose monitoring devices are different from traditional systems in that they offer numerous advantages:
- Detailed Insights:
Unlike the traditional methods, glucose monitoring devices can analyze the glucose readings better to provide a clearer picture of a patient’s sugar levels. They can track your blood sugar levels 24/7. Moreover, they can provide a visual representation of your data to help you better understand your exact medical condition. Not only that, these devices also offer insights into how different aspects of your daily life, for example—food, stress, medication, exercise, hormones, etc.—can affect your glucose levels.
- Ease in Decision-Making:
As patients have all the information about where their blood sugar levels are heading, it becomes easier for them to make better decisions about the treatment and the further procedure. They can schedule their insulin dosage based on the results. Moreover, they can share the test results with their friends and family to create a safety net for themselves.
- Peace of Mind in the Long Term:
Since patients can continuously know their blood sugar level within seconds, they can avoid the fear of sudden increases. They become more confident in their decision-making, especially in the case of insulin dosage. Blood sugar monitoring devices give them the peace of mind they need and deserve. Moreover, these results can be analyzed and used to plan for their treatments in the future, which can be beneficial in the long run as well.
Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices Market: A Statistical Overview
According to Statista, the global blood glucose monitoring devices market is expected to grow to 22.3 billion US Dollars in 2026. Here is the graphical representation of the same.
Also, here is the Glucose monitoring devices market value in Latin America from 2020 to 2025.
Types of Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices and their Applications
Primarily, there are two types of blood glucose monitoring devices namely Blood Glucose Meters and Continuous Glucose Monitors.
- What are Blood Glucose Meters?
Blood Glucose Meters (BGMs) are used to measure the amount of sugar in a patient’s blood at a particular time. These machines use a small amount of blood from the fingertip to analyze the sugar levels. The limitation with these meters is that if someone wants to check their blood sugar several times a day, they have to use the BGMs separately every time, which can be tiresome and painful. Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) are different than BGMs in that they address these limitations.
- Continuous Glucose Monitoring: A Better Alternative?
Presently, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is being used as the prevalent method for real-time blood sugar measurement. Unlike Blood Glucose Meters, this process does not require finger pricking. Instead, it measures the amount of glucose in the interstitial fluid, which is in between the cells of the body. The biggest advantage of this method is that the users can get uninterrupted and accurate glucose readings 24/7.
Concluding Note: What’s Next?
The process of blood glucose monitoring has come a long way from where it started almost a century ago. With changing technology and increasing pace of innovation, the process is expected to get more simplified and accurate in the future. However, for now, it is safe to say that blood sugar monitoring devices are one of the most effective methods of diabetes diagnosis!
