Use of the Cygnus GlucoWatch biographer at a diabetes camp.
BACKGROUND
Detection and prevention of nocturnal hypoglycemia is a major medical concern at diabetes camps.


OBJECTIVE
We conducted an open-label trial of the Cygnus GlucoWatch biographer to detect nocturnal hypoglycemia in a diabetes camp, a nonclinical environment with multiple activities.


METHODS
Forty-five campers (7-17 years old) wore a biographer. The biographer was placed on the arm at 6:00 PM, with the low alarm set to 85 mg/dL (4.7 mmol/L). Overnight glucose monitoring occurred per usual camp protocol. Counselors were to check and record blood glucose values if the biographer alarmed.


RESULTS
Biographers were worn for 154 nights by 45 campers. After a 3-hour warm-up period, 67% of biographers were calibrated, of which 28% were worn the entire night (12 hours). Thirty-four percent of readings were skipped because of: "data errors" (65%), sweat (20%), and temperature change (16%). Reported biographer values correlated with meter glucose values measured 11 to 20 minutes later (r = 0.90). Of 20 low-glucose alarms with corresponding meter values measured within 20 minutes, there were 10 true-positive alarms, 10 false-positive alarms, and no false-negative alarms. Campers reported sleep disruption 32% of the nights, and 74% found the biographer helpful. Campers reported they would wear the biographer 4 to 5 nights each week.


CONCLUSIONS
Half of the biographer low-glucose alarms that had corresponding blood meter values were true-positive alarms, and the remaining were false-positive alarms. There was close correlation between the biographer and meter glucose values. The majority of campers found the biographer helpful and would use it at home.
Gandrud
Laura M
LM
Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305-5208, USA. lgandrud@stanford.edu
Paguntalan
Helen U
HU
Van Wyhe
M Michelle
MM
Kunselman
Betsy L
BL
Leptien
Amy D
AD
Wilson
Darrell M
DM
Eastman
Richard C
RC
Buckingham
Bruce A
BA
D000293:Adolescent; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D015190:Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002138:Calibration; D002165:Camping; D002648:Child; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood*; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation
D001786:Blood Glucose