WILLEMSTAD - Diabetes Mellitus (DM) has become a major epidemic. It is estimated that there are more than 463 million adults worldwide that live with diabetes and more than 48 million people in the North America and Caribbean Region; it is expected that by 2045 this will rise to 63 million, according to the International Diabetes Federation.
In Curaçao, there are 116,000 adults and the prevalence of diabetes among this age group is 17%, resulting in 19,700 cases of diabetes in adults.
Abbott, the global healthcare company, announced today the availability of the FreeStyle® Libre system, a revolutionary glucose sensing technology for adults and children (aged 4 and older) with diabetes, in Curaçao.
The FreeStyle Libre system reads glucose levels through a sensor worn on the back of the upper arm for up to 14 days. With a quick, one-second scan with a reader, users get real-time glucose readings every minute, historical trends and patterns, and arrows showing where glucose levels are going without having to finger prick. In addition, no finger prick calibration is needed.
The sensor can read glucose levels through clothing, making testing more comfortable and discreet, it is also water-resistant and can be worn in the shower and during swimming. The reader has up to 90 days of data and provides a historical snapshot of glucose levels over time.
The data from the FreeStyle Libre system provides a visual snapshot of a person's glucose fluctuations during a typical day, which can reveal hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) and hyperglycemic (high blood sugar) trends intended to help facilitate better diabetes management. By measuring, capturing and storing glucose level data continuously, people with diabetes and their doctors can see patterns over time and make adjustments to lifestyle, diet or treatment.
Recent studies showed that users of the FreeStyle Libre system have improved glucose control, decreased time in hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia as well as reduced hospitalizations, and HbA1C levels.
“We've seen the proven benefits of the FreeStyle Libre technology for people living with diabetes, which has changed the lives of more than 2 million people across the world," said Douglas Barbieri, medical director, Latin America, Diabetes Care at Abbott. "Now people living with diabetes in Curaçao have access to an effective and accurate device for continuous glucose monitoring to improve health outcomes and lead to better quality of life."
