Modelling the effect of alcohol in Type 1 diabetes.

We have recently shown, in studies with patients with Type 1 (insulin dependent) diabetes, that alcohol intake at 2100 hrs significantly reduced blood glucose values after 10-12 hours, compared with control studies with no alcohol. We hypothesised that this was due to the following effects of alcohol: 1. Alcohol metabolism increases NADH, leading to a reduction in hepatic gluconeogenesis; and 2.

Use of the Internet to optimize self-management of type 1 diabetes: preliminary experience with DiasNet.

Six patients with type 1 diabetes participated in a pilot trial. Their median age was 36 years (range 29-61) and the median duration of diabetes was 10 years (range 3-29). They were asked to enter, from their home or work PC, blood glucose values, insulin doses and a food diary.

The effect of alcohol on blood glucose in Type 1 diabetes--metabolic modelling and integration in a decision support system.

Introduction: We have recently shown, in studies with patients with Type 1 (insulin dependent) diabetes, that alcohol intake at 21:00 h significantly reduced blood glucose values after 10-12 h, compared with control studies with no alcohol.

Hypothesis: We hypothesised that this was due to the following effects of alcohol: (1) alcohol metabolism increases NADH, leading to a reduction in hepatic gluconeogenesis; (2) increased glycogen phosphorylase activity depletes hepatic glycogen stores; (3) after the alcohol is metabolised, hepatic insulin sensitivity is increased, leading to the restoration of glycogen stores and reduction in blood glucose levels; and (4) consequently, after several hours, glycogen stores and insulin sensitivity return to normal.

Results: A model describing these changes (DiasNet-Alcohol) was implemented into the DiasNet model of human glucose metabolism.

DiasNet--a diabetes advisory system for communication and education via the internet.

Intensive diabetes treatment can lead to a substantial reduction of the rate of the complications associated with diabetes. However, a number of patients may have poor control despite specialist care, and this along with devolution of care to non-specialists suggests that alternative interventions should be developed. The present paper describes an Internet based system where more emphasis is put on patient empowerment, the keywords being education and communication.

Using the internet in patient-centred diabetes care for communication, education, and decision support.

The New England Journal of Medicine 329 (1993) 977- The present paper describes two systems for communication, education, and decision support in patient-centred diabetes care. Both systems are developed under the assumption that while the clinical resources in the health care sector are limited, patients' resources and new information technology may be able to play a much more central role. With DiasNet patients can experiment with their own data.