‘Blood sugars dropped without them noticing’

including eye problems, nerve damage and potential limb loss, as well as heart disease. So diabetics must regularly monitor their blood sugar levels and administer insulin shots if they get too high, or eat if too low.

Continuous glucose monitors are approved for all type 1 diabetics and type 2 patients with severe diabetes-related health problems. But scientists at the Regenstrief Institute in Indianapolis found that when 70 older people were given the gadgets for two weeks, they failed to use them properly.

Dr Michael Weiner, professor of medicine at the Indiana University School of Medicine who led the trial, described the results as ‘extremely concerning’.

Professor Partha Kar, NHS England’s national speciality adviser for diabetes, says he was aware of the issue in the UK.

‘Teaching elderly people how to use a blood glucose monitor is very different to teaching someone young. But there are things we can do. Patients can choose to share their data with their consultant, so they can keep an eye on them from afar.

‘With some types of monitors, you can give the patient a separate digital device and tell them to keep it on them at all times. This seems to work better.’