The risk for poor glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes can be predicted with confidence by using machine learning methods, a new study from Finland finds.

The study was based on data from 3,100 people with diabetes who used Medtronic's Guardian Connect glucose monitoring hardware for at least five days.

For example, by preventing hospitalizations in cases of just two widespread chronic illnesses — heart disease and diabetes — the United States could save billions of dollars a year.