Vnitr Lek 2014, 60(9):757-763

Glycemic variability and continuous monitoring of glycemia

Martin Prázný^*, Jan Šoupal

III. interní klinika 1. LF UK a VFN Praha, přednosta prof. MUDr. Štěpán Svačina, DrSc., MBA

Blood glucose levels are not constant in ther human body even in physiological status. It fluctuates depending on food intake, exercise, psychological and other factors. Normally it fluctuates between 3.9 to 7.5 mmol/l and in fasting in the standard conditions it does not exceed even more narrow range 3.9 to 5.5 mmol/l. Fluctuations are more pronounced in patient with diabetes. Hyperglycemia is a common and basic pathology in diabetes, however, antidiabetic drug often cause hypoglycemia, both increasing the range for glucose fluctuations. The level of glucose fluctuation is called glycemic variability (GV). Glycemic variability is now a favorite target of scientific research in diabetology. Increased glycemic variability is associated with hypoglycemia, possibly may contribute to chronic diabetes complications and negatively influences quality of life of diabetic patients. Last but not least, thanks to the new technology of continuous glucose monitoring, we can better describe and measure it. Finally, glycemic variability emerges as a potentially important therapeutical target.

Keywords: continuous glucose monitoring; glycemic variability; insulin pump; sensor augmented pump

Received: July 6, 2014; Accepted: July 17, 2014; Published: September 1, 2014  Show citation