Diabetes management methods and systems

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods and systems for monitoring the effectiveness of diabetes treatment. Methods and systems in accordance with the present invention provide information relating to variability of glucose levels and hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. Such information is based on time-stamped blood glucose data obtained from a meter or the like and actual measurements of HbA1c levels are not required.

1 . A method of managing blood glucose data, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a plurality of blood glucose data collected over a predetermined period of time;   estimating an idiosyncratic HbA1c level from the plurality of blood glucose data using a first predetermined algorithm;   calculating an idiosyncratic variability index of glycemia from the plurality of blood glucose data using a second predetermined algorithm; and   comparing the idiosyncratic variability index of glycemia and the idiosyncratic HbA1c level to at least one exclusion criteria.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one exclusion criterion comprises at least one of a history of testing, a frequency of tests per day, and a randomness of data on a daily basis. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising reporting the idiosyncratic variability index of glycemia and the idiosyncratic HbA1c level when the at least one exclusion criteria is not met. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the reporting step comprises reporting the idiosyncratic variability index of glycemia as a function of the idiosyncratic HbA1c level. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the reporting step comprises providing the idiosyncratic variability index of glycemia as a function of the idiosyncratic HbA1c level on a weekly basis. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the reporting step comprises providing the idiosyncratic variability index of glycemia as a function of the idiosyncratic HbA1c level on a monthly basis. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the reporting step comprises providing the idiosyncratic variability index of glycemia and the idiosyncratic HbA1c level in tabular form. 
     
     
         8 . A method of managing blood glucose data, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a plurality of blood glucose data collected over a predetermined period of time;   estimating an idiosyncratic HbA1c level from the plurality of blood glucose data using a first predetermined algorithm;   calculating an idiosyncratic variability index of glycemia from the plurality of blood glucose data using a second predetermined algorithm;   determining the idiosyncratic variability index of glycemia as a function of the idiosyncratic HbA1c level when at least one exclusion criterion is not met; and   providing the reported idiosyncratic variability index of glycemia and idiosyncratic HbA1c level while indicating at least one aspect of glycemic control.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one aspect of glycemic control comprises target, cautionary, and danger regions of glycemic control. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one exclusion criterion comprises at least one of a history of testing, a frequency of tests per day, and a randomness of data on a daily basis. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the determining step comprises determining the idiosyncratic variability index of glycemia as a function of the idiosyncratic HbA1c level on a weekly basis. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the determining step comprises determining the idiosyncratic variability index of glycemia as a function of the idiosyncratic HbA1c level on a monthly basis. 
     
     
         13 . A system for managing blood glucose data, the system comprising:
 a processor programmed to:   receive a plurality of blood glucose data collected over a predetermined period of time;   provide an estimation of an idiosyncratic HbA1c level from the plurality of blood glucose data;   provide a calculation of an idiosyncratic variability index of glycemia from the plurality of blood glucose data; and   report the idiosyncratic variability index of glycemia and the idiosyncratic HbA1c level when at least one exclusion criterion is not met.   
     
     
         14 .- 20 . (canceled)