Diabetes mellitus and blood glucose determinations: historical evolution, current technologies, and future perspectives
Keywords:
Diabetes Mellitus; Glucose; Continuous Glucose Monitoring; Glycated Hemoglobin; Glucose Tolerance TestAbstract
Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia due to defects in insulin secretion or action. It affects more than 415 million adults worldwide, with projections exceeding 642 million by 2040. Understanding blood glucose determination methods is essential for proper diagnosis and monitoring.
Objective: To describe diabetes mellitus as a chronic disease and the available means for its diagnosis and monitoring.
Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted through searches in PubMed, SciELO, and Scopus, using DeCS/MeSH descriptors. Articles from the last five years were prioritized, applying defined inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Development: The pathophysiology of T1DM involves autoimmune destruction of β-cells, while T2DM combines insulin resistance and progressive secretory failure. Glucose determination methods have evolved from qualitative urine tests to continuous monitors, non-invasive devices, and implantable systems. Glycemic variability emerges as an independent predictor of complications. The oral glucose tolerance test remains diagnostically relevant.
Conclusions: Diabetes constitutes a growing global health problem. Technological advances in glucose determination improve accuracy and quality of life. Prevention through diet and exercise remains the most cost-effective strategy. Local data from Cárdenas (11,801 patients) reinforce the need to update knowledge among professionals and the community.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Marco Antonio Rodríguez-Castillo, Heldys María Méndez-Gómez , Yelaine Polledo-Piñera
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