Not CRII but interesting related news release:
New 'No-Strip' Blood Glucose Meter Encourages People with Diabetes to Test More [.20328]
/FROM PR NEWSWIRE NEW YORK 800-776-8090/
TO BUSINESS AND MEDICAL EDITORS:
New 'No-Strip' Blood Glucose Meter Encourages People with
Diabetes to Test More Frequently
Studies Support Important Benefits of Frequent Testing
TARRYTOWN, N.Y., March 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Bayer Corporation, Diagnostics
Division today announced the U.S. availability of the Glucometer(R) DEX(R)
Diabetes Care System, America's only "no-strip" blood glucose meter that
allows people with diabetes to perform 10 tests with a single cartridge stored
in the meter. This eliminates the need to carry and handle separate test
strips when testing blood glucose levels. With this added convenience, the
Glucometer DEX System represents a significant advance for the nearly 16
million people with diabetes, for whom frequent monitoring is recommended to
help reduce serious health complications, such as cardiovascular disease,
kidney disease and blindness.
"Frequent blood glucose monitoring is critical to better control," said
Robin Goland, M.D., director of the Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center at Columbia
Presbyterian Medical Center, New York. "When patients are more aware of their
blood sugar levels, they are able to more accurately adjust their diet,
exercise routine and treatment, thus reducing complications."
Largest Trial to Date Suggests Increased Testing with Glucometer(R)
DEX(R) System
In a study of over 14,400 Glucometer DEX meter users and 2,900 health
professionals -- the largest ever multi-center home meter trial -- almost
two-thirds (63%) of those who tested their blood sugar fewer than three times
a day predicted they would test more often with the Glucometer DEX System.
Almost one-third of all Glucometer DEX System users predicted more frequent
testing.
Nearly eight out of over 10 users preferred the new Glucometer DEX System
over their current blood glucose monitors, and 86% of healthcare professionals
predicted their patients would test more frequently with the Glucometer DEX
System.
In addition, the online resource Children with Diabetes
(http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com), gave the Glucometer DEX System a rating
of "highly recommended," awarding perfect scores in ease of use, monitor
features, and suitability for use by children.
Survey Supports Mounting Evidence that Frequent Testing Facilitates
Control
Controlling diabetes is more important to people with diabetes than other
important lifestyle issues, such as having time for family and friends and
surprisingly, even career or job performance, according to a new Roper Starch
Worldwide survey of 427 people with diabetes who monitor their blood sugar.
More than 90% of the participants agreed that testing their blood sugar gives
them a better sense of control over their lives. In fact, of all the measures
the respondents take to keep their diabetes under control, such as following a
strict diet, exercise and visiting the doctor, blood sugar testing was rated
the most important.
The survey also showed that the degree to which people control their
diabetes has a profound effect on their outlook on life, ability to cope with
the disease, and the extent to which they worry about life-threatening
complications. For example:
-- Those with better metabolic control of diabetes cope better emotionally
with the disease. Eighty percent of those in control said they are
coping extremely or very well vs. only 56% of those not in control.
-- People with diabetes who do not test their blood sugar daily and whose
disease is not in control worry more that the disease could be fatal.
This concern is also more prevalent among the youngest group of
respondents, ages 22-33.
-- When respondents were asked what they would do if their diabetes were
under control, most (45%) said they would take an exotic vacation.
Other responses included "have an intimate or sexual relationship" and
"be more romantic."
-- By a significant margin, more males than females said they would have
an intimate relationship or be more romantic.
The Glucometer DEX System has several complementary features in addition
to a 10-test cartridge. The device uses "sip-in" technology to draw a small
amount of blood (3-4 microliters) into the test sensor. The Glucometer DEX
System produces results in just 30 seconds and can show results of the user's
two most recent tests, a two-week average of test results, time-specific
averages and individual test results. With an electronic memory, the
Glucometer DEX Meter stores up to 100 test results. The WinGlucofacts(TM)
software program allows users to transfer test results to a personal computer
to log, summarize and calculate averages from all test results.
Bayer Corporation, Diagnostics Division, headquartered in Tarrytown, NY,
(http://www.bayerds.com) is the U.S. member of Bayer's Business Group
Diagnostics -- one of the largest diagnostics businesses in the world. The
company serves customers in 100 countries with an offering that includes
diagnostics systems in three key segments: Laboratory Testing, Point of Care
Testing and Self Testing. Bayer Diagnostics has approximately 8,000 employees
worldwide with combined 1997 sales of close to $1.7 billion. Bayer
Diagnostics is a member of the worldwide Bayer Group, a $32 billion chemical
and pharmaceutical company based in Leverkusen, Germany.
SOURCE Bayer Corporation
/CONTACT: Laura Kaplow of BSMG Worldwide, 212-445-8119, for BayerCorporation/
/Web site: bayerds.com
Mar-22-1999 14:31 GMT
Source PRN PR NewsWire
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