ABSTRACT
CHAPTER SUMMARY Diabetes has been declared as a global epidemic and emergency by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), as the current incidence level has surpassed all previously projected numbers. Indeed, it has reached a catastrophic level, which substantiates the need for all essential steps for more effective diagnosis, monitoring, and management. The diabetic patient needs to perform continual monitoring of blood glucose, followed by intervention and management to cope with this disease. Ideally, the current high cost of consumables and miniaturised blood glucose meters (BGMs) must be reduced significantly, particularly for patients in developing nations. Continuous glucose monitoring systems offer the potential for real-time monitoring of glucose levels. However, current non-invasive glucose monitoring (NGM) technologies have not matched the desired clinical accuracy to replace the BGM. Together with advanced optical methods, the ongoing trend towards smartphone-based mobile healthcare is further facilitating the monitoring of physical activity and basic healthcare parameters, which contributes to the prevention, or delays the onset, of this debilitating disease.
