The measurement and consequences of daily glucose variability: a meaningful addition to the mean?

Diabetes mellitus is an important global health concern. Diabetes greatly increases the risk of several debilitating diseases, including cardiovascular disease, blindness, and dementia. Daily glucose variability (blood sugar fluctuations throughout the day) could play an independent and modifiable role in the prevention of these conditions. This thesis uses data from a large observational cohort study (The Maastricht Study). As part of this study, a large number of research participants has undergone continuous glucose monitoring. A continuous glucose monitor is a medical device that can measure glucose values every five minutes, which enables the detailed mapping of daily glucose profiles. The dissertation aims to provide tools to improve the measurement of daily glucose variability and continuous glucose monitoring, as well as to investigate whether daily glucose variability should indeed be considered an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, nerve and retinal damage and dementia.