App-Based Insulin Calculators: Current and Future State

AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo perform a comprehensive literature review and critical assessment of peer-reviewed manuscripts addressing the efficacy, safety, or usability of insulin calculator apps.Recent FindingsManaging diabetes with insulin can be complex, and literacy and numeracy skills pose barriers to manual insulin dose calculations. App-based insulin calculators are promising tools to help people with diabetes administer insulin safely and have potential to improve glycemic control. While a large number of apps which assist with insulin dosing are available, there is limited data evaluating their efficacy, safety, and usability. Recently, a need for regulatory oversight has been recognized, but few apps meet federal standards. Thus, choosing an appropriate app is challenging for both patients and providers. An electronic literature review was performed to identify insulin calculator apps with either evidence for efficacy, safety or usability published in peer-reviewed literature or with FDA/CE approval. Twenty apps were identified intended for use by patients with diabetes on insulin. Of these, nine included insulin calculators. Summaries of each app, including pros and cons, are provided.SummaryInsulin-calculator apps have the potential to improve self-management of diabetes. While current literature demonstrates improvements in quality of life and glycemic control after use of these programs, larger trials are needed to collect outcome and safety data. Also, further ...
Source: Current Diabetes Reports - Category: Endocrinology Source Type: research