Nearly 26 million Americans have diabetes. Many of them use insulin therapy to try to keep their blood sugar levels in check and reduce complications.

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University wanted to know which of the many innovations in insulin delivery and monitoring work best. The team reviewed 33 published studies to evaluate how multiple daily insulin injections compared to the use of the insulin pump. They also looked at the new blood glucose monitors that allow real time results versus the old fashioned finger sticks diabetics must endure.

The results, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, showed that the insulin pump and multiple-daily injections have similar effects on glycemic control. But the insulin pump performed better for children and adults with Type 1 diabetes. As for blood-glucose monitoring, real-time monitoring allowed patients to maintain a lower blood glucose level compared to self-monitoring.

The researchers concluded that based on the evidence, physicians can use patient preference to guide treatment decisions when it comes to the new devices.

I'm Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV, with the information you need to protect your health.