Use of Biosensors in Diabetes Monitoring: Medical and Economic Aspects

Abstract

Over the past ten years, technology has been developed to the point, where it can enable continuous and efficient monitoring of blood glucose levels for patients with diabetes mellitus. The biggest step forward was demonstrated by biosensors, which, with a non-invasive approach, provide healthcare workers with the information required for good titration of insulin doses. We looked at the benefits of using biosensors in diabetes monitoring in terms of medical aspect and economic justification of replacing traditional test strips with biosensors. In this paper, we have shown potential benefits in terms of improving diabetes control, patient benefits, and how the medical benefit is collerating with the economic viability of biosensors use. On the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina test strips for glucose control are still in use. This paper includes an analysis of the costs of traditional monitoring and monitoring using biosensors. We also reviewed the monitoring of diabetes in neighboring countries such as Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro, and Serbia in order to compare them with the current situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.