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NOS Nieuws•vandaag, 00:58
An artificial pancreas provides people with type 1 diabetes with better blood sugar levels and a better quality of life. Their blood sugar levels remain within the target range for an average of six hours longer per day. Patients also indicate that they are much less bothered by their disease in their daily lives. That is the conclusion of a study published in the scientific journal The Lancet.
The artificial pancreas is the brainchild of Robin Koops, a machine builder with type 1 diabetes who developed the device in his own shed. Small-scale tests have previously shown promising results, but this is the first major study with the artificial pancreas. More than 75 people participated in the study. “Very special,” Koops calls the results.
The artificial pancreas is a system that works with two hormones, insulin and glucagon. The pump can therefore prevent blood sugar values that are too high or too low, making these values much more stable. Other existing systems generally only administer insulin. “The artificial pancreas has an accelerator and a brake pedal,” said Koops, whose company Inreda Diabetic produces the device.
No control group
“A beautiful and interesting study,” says diabetologist Hanno Pijl of the LUMC, who is not involved in the research. “I think the results are impressive.” He does note that the study does not use a control group. “I have no doubt that the pump plays a role, but the results could also be partly a placebo effect.” This problem is now being addressed: a study was started in September that includes a control group.
Another possible problem is the use of the artificial pancreas. “It is a device on your body, with tubes and sensors,” says Pijl. Endocrinologist Arianne van Bon, who has been involved in the development of the pump from the start, confirms that this is a problem for some people: “You have to dare to give up control. 10 to 15 percent of users do not like that.” .
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the pancreas no longer produces insulin at all. This is in contrast to type 2 diabetes – where the body has too little insulin, or the body no longer responds properly to it. Patients must continuously monitor and maintain their blood sugar levels. Type 1 diabetes is a serious condition that can lead to blindness, cardiovascular disease and kidney failure.
“I used to work on my diabetes 24 hours a day,” says patient Anneke van Haren. “Now I’ve even changed jobs. I have my life back.” The Diabetes Fund is closely involved in the development and sees the artificial pancreas as an important innovation to improve the quality of life of people with diabetes.
Some users of the artificial pancreas even report that some symptoms of their diabetes disappear, such as spots on their eyes. Koops himself says that he has a better field of vision and needs less strong lenses in his glasses. So far these have been isolated anecdotes. Further research will have to demonstrate whether this effect actually occurs.
Insurers
The makers hope that the positive results will help more insurers reimburse the artificial pancreas. This is currently only the case at Menzis and CZ, for a small group of patients. The UMC Utrecht and twelve other hospitals have started a major investigation in 2022 that should lead to a decision on reimbursement from the basic package. “I hope we can open the champagne in 2026,” says Van Bon.
2024-03-04 23:58:34
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