Mathematical descriptions of the glucose control in diabetes therapy. Analysis of the Schlichtkrull "M"-value.

Mathematical indices describing metabolic control of the diabetic patients during a short-term (24 hours) monitoring period have been reviewed. Two groups of indices were selected: those related to the glucose level and those related to the glycaemia variations. Then a presentation of the most universal mathematical index, which is presently used in clinical practice, -M value - was performed.