The benefi ts of using bolus calculator Bolus Wizard® in patients treated with insulin pumps Medtronic Paradigm®

Abstract

In the recent years, the number of patients treatedwith intensive functional insulin therapy with the useof insulin pumps is constantly increasing. This type oftherapy might be very benefi cial. However, in somepatients, who use continuous subcutaneous insulininfusions, we observe that the metabolic control ofdiabetes deteriorates. This phenomenon most probablyresults from lack of understanding and improper useof this equipment and non-compliance with insulintherapy. The most common mistakes include omissionor inapropriate calculation of insulin dose for theplanned meal and for correction of hyperglycaemia.The latest insulin pumps are equipped with Bolus Wizard® function, which helps to precisely determine the doseof insulin bolus. Based on estimated amount of activeinsulin and taking into account data entered by patient(insulin/carbohydrate ratio, insulin sensitivity, number ofcarbohydrate units and actual glycaemia), the Bolus Wizard® exactly suggests the dose of prandial or correctioninsulin bolus. In this article the principles of using BolusWizard® function in patients treated with personal insulinpumps Medtronik Paradigm® are presented.