Method for analyzing continuous glucose monitoring data

Abstract

A method for predicting the effectiveness of medication-based therapy in lowering average blood glucose levels in a diabetic patient is provided. This method may further comprise selectively recommending a medication-based therapy on the basis of the arithmetic average of the relative minima. A method for determining susceptibility to symptomatic hypoglycemia in a patient is provided. This method may further comprise selectively recommending a medication-based therapy on the basis of the arithmetic average of the relative minima. Provided also is a device for continuously monitoring blood glucose levels in a patient. The methods and device involve applying a Fourier approximation to blood glucose level data.

1. A method implemented on a CGMS device for predicting the effectiveness of medication-based therapy in lowering average blood glucose levels in a diabetic patient comprising the steps of:
 measuring by a sensor said patient's blood glucose levels continuously for a period of time to obtain blood glucose level data and providing said measured glucose levels to a CGMS device;  
 applying by the CGMS device a Fourier approximation to develop a continuous oscillating blood glucose curve approximately representing the blood glucose level data;  
 mathematically decomposing by the CGMS device oscillation of the blood glucose curve into at least one respective component harmonic curve;  
 calculating by the CGMS device an amplitude of a composite curve that is a function of the at least one respective component harmonic curve; and  
 correlating by the CGMS device the amplitude of the composite curve with an expectation that medication-based therapy will lower the average blood glucose levels in a diabetic patient.  
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the function of the at least one respective component harmonic curve is a sum of amplitudes of second and third component harmonic curves. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  further comprising selectively recommending a medication-based therapy on the basis of the amplitude of the composite curve. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said period of time is twenty-four hours. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said patient has type 1 diabetes mellitus. 
     
     
       6. A method implemented on a CGMS device for determining susceptibility to symptomatic hypoglycemia in a patient comprising the steps of:
 measuring by a sensor said patient's blood glucose levels continuously for a period of time to obtain blood glucose level data and providing said measured glucose levels to a CGMS device;  
 applying by the CGMS device a Fourier approximation to develop a continuous oscillating blood glucose curve approximately representing the blood glucose level data;  
 identifying by the CGMS device areas of the curve having the steepest descent, the areas of steepest descent corresponding to relative minima of a first derivative of the curve;  
 calculating by the CGMS device an arithmetic average of the relative minima; and  
 correlating by the CGMS device a high arithmetic average of the relative minima with an increased susceptibility to symptomatic hypoglycemia.  
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6  further comprising selectively recommending a medication-based therapy on the basis of the arithmetic average of the relative minima. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 6 , wherein said period of time is 24 hours. 
     
     
       9. A device of continuously monitoring blood glucose levels in a patient comprising:
 a sensor for measuring blood glucose levels in said patient;  
 a monitor for recording blood glucose levels at regular intervals; and  
 software executable by said monitor for applying a Fourier approximation to said blood glucose levels.