Frequency characterization of blood glucose dynamics

Examples of the frequency range of blood glucose dynamics of normal subjects and subjects with diabetes are reported here, based on data from the literature. The frequency band edge was determined from suitable, frequently sampled blood glucose recordings using two methods: frequency domain estimation and signal reconstruction. The respective maximum acceptable sampling intervals, or Nyquist sampling periods (NSP), required to accurately represent blood glucose dynamics were calculated. Preliminary results based on the limited data available in the literature indicate that although blood glucose NSP values are higher in most diabetic subjects, values in some diabetic subjects are indistinguishable from those of normal subjects. High fidelity monitoring sufficient to follow the intrinsic blood glucose dynamics of all diabetic subjects requires a NSP of similar to10 min, corresponding to a continuous frequency band edge of similar to1 x 10(-3) Hz. This analysis provides key information for the design of clinical studies that include blood glucose dynamics and for the design of new glucose monitoring systems. (C) 2003 Biomedical Engineering Society.