Background: Integrative diabetes care is lifelong and encompasses patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Understanding older adults' perceptions of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) benefits and potential annoyances is important to assist with introducing it in this population. The aim of this study was to investigate PROMs and effectiveness of CGM introduction in elderly multiple daily injection (MDI) users with well-controlled diabetes. Methods: MDI-treated elderly (n = 25, mean age 67.6 ± 1.2 years, HbA1c = 7.1% ± 0.2%, 56% type 1 diabetes) were instructed to use a CGM device. PROMs were measured by questionnaires. CGM-recorded glycemic control metrics (time in range [TIR], time in hypoglycemia, coefficient of variation [CV]) were compared during blinded CGM and real-time CGM. Results: Satisfaction with CGM use was high; with perceived advantages as "very common" (4.22 out of 5) and annoyances as "modest" (1.82 out of 5). In total 95% of participants expressed improved sense of security with CGM use, 68% reported of improved sleep quality, and 82% were willing to use a CGM device after finishing the study protocol. CGM introduction did not impose additional diabetes-related distress (measured by the Problem Areas in Diabetes questionnaire). Significant improvements in TIR (3.9-10.0 mmol/L) (66.3% ± 2.6% vs. 76.9% ± 3.0%; P < 0.001), time in hypoglycemia (9.6% ± 2.1% vs. 5.2% ± 1.1%; P = 0.041), as well as reduced glycemic variability (%CV) (37.3 ± 11.1 vs. 32.9 ± 6.3; P < 0.001) were observed. Conclusion: Introduction of CGM in elderly patients with well-controlled diabetes resulted in high satisfaction without imposing additional diabetes distress. Furthermore, an added benefit in glucose control with stabilizing glycemia in target range was proven.
Keywords: CGM satisfaction; Diabetes distress; Patient-reported outcome measures; Type 1 diabetes; Type 2 diabetes.