Study Shows ACCU-CHEK(R) Blood Glucose Monitoring Systems and Lancing Devices Are Least Painful

INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Roche announced today that a comparative study conducted to evaluate differences in perceived pain and discomfort associated with blood glucose testing showed ACCU-CHEK blood glucose monitoring systems and lancing devices were deemed least painful.

Results indicated that, overall, the ACCU-CHEK Aviva and ACCU-CHEK Compact Plus blood glucose monitoring systems and the ACCU-CHEK Multiclix, ACCU-CHEK Softclix and ACCU-CHEK Softclix Plus lancing devices were least painful when compared to competitors. Those competitors were:

    System                   Lancing Device
    Ascensia(R) Contour(R)   Microlet(R)/Vaculance(R)
    Freestyle Freedom(R)     TheraSense(R) Freestyle(R)
    OneTouch(R) Ultra(R)2    LifeScan UltraSoft(R)

"We are pleased a recent study confirms that our products are perceived as least painful for all three testing sites included in the study-finger, palm and forearm," said Roche Director of Product Marketing Jennifer Aspy. "Our patented, precision-guided technology is what makes the difference because there is no vibration when the lancet enters or exits the skin."

Aspy added that this vibration, which occurs with conventional technology, causes side-to-side motion. This motion coupled with the lancet stopping abruptly and then bouncing back result in painful tissue damage. The technology used in the ACCU-CHEK products works in an entirely different way to greatly reduce this painful damage. ACCU-CHEK lancing devices also offer 11 depth settings, so patients can find a lancing depth to match their skin type. This customized depth penetration avoids painful nerve endings. And high-quality ACCU-CHEK lancets use comfortable, thin 28- and 30-gauge lancets with beveled tips. Lower-quality lancets use larger needles, and many lack the beveled tips, causing skin trauma.

The study consisted of 165 subjects who tested at home at least 3 times a day for 36 days, testing on each site-finger, palm and forearm-with each of the 3 competitor brands and 1 of the ACCU-CHEK products. After testing was completed, responses by subjects to the products were compared. In a second experiment in a laboratory setting, the ACCU-CHEK Multiclix and ACCU-CHEK Softclix Plus lancing devices were compared individually to competitor lancing devices.

"There is no question that better management of diabetes results in better outcomes for the patient," Aspy said. "By offering a lancing device that results in least painful testing, we are helping to remove one of the barriers to adequate testing for improved diabetes management."

The comparative pain study was conducted by Dr. Richard Koubek, of Koubek and Associates, on behalf of Roche.

About Roche Diabetes Care

Roche Diabetes Care is a pioneer in the development of blood glucose monitoring systems and a global leader for diabetes management systems and services. For more than 30 years, Roche has been committed to helping people with diabetes live lives that are as normal and active as possible and has been helping healthcare professionals manage their patients' condition in an optimal way. Today, the ACCU-CHEK portfolio offers people with diabetes and healthcare professionals innovative products, services and comprehensive solutions for convenient, efficient and effective diabetes management-from blood glucose monitoring through information management to insulin delivery. The ACCU-CHEK brand encompasses blood glucose meters, infusion pumps, lancing and data management systems.

For more information, please visit accu-chek.com.

About Roche

Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is one of the world's leading research-focused healthcare groups in the fields of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. As the world's largest biotech company and an innovator of products and services for the early detection, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases, the Roche Group contributes on a broad range of fronts to improving people's health and quality of life. Roche is the world leader in in vitro diagnostics and drugs for cancer and transplantation as well as a market leader in virology. It is also active in other major therapeutic areas, such as autoimmune diseases, inflammatory and metabolic disorders and diseases of the central nervous system. In 2007, sales by the Pharmaceuticals Division totaled 36.8 billion Swiss francs, and the Diagnostics Division posted sales of 9.3 billion francs. Roche has R&D agreements and strategic alliances with numerous partners-including majority ownership interests in Genentech and Chugai-and has invested over 8 billion Swiss francs in R&D in 2007. Worldwide, the Roche employs about 79,000 people. Additional information is available on the Internet at roche-diagnostics.us.

    For further information, please contact:
    Julie Vincent
    Public Relations Consultant
    Roche
    julie.vincent@roche.com
    317-521-1910

SOURCE Roche Diabetes Care

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