Effectiveness of flash glucose monitoring in patients with type 1 diabetes and recurrent hypoglycemia between early and late stages after flash glucose monitoring initiation

Abstract

Aims: Evaluate the effectiveness of reimbursed flash glucose monitoring with optional alarms (FGM) in preventing severe hypoglycemia (SH) and reducing hypoglycemia exposure in T1D patients prone to hypoglycemia.

Methods: Ambispective study in T1D patients treated with multiple daily injections (MDI) and prone to hypoglycemia, initiating reimbursed FGM (FreeStyle Libre 2). The primary outcome was the number of SH events (requiring third party assistance) and main secondary outcomes were time below range < 70 (TBR < 70) and < 54 mg/dL (TBR < 54), impaired awareness of hypoglycemia (IAH) and quality of life (QoL). Logistic regression models were constructed to explore variables associated with success of the intervention.

Results: We included 110 patients (52.7 % women, mean age 47.8 ± 17.0 years). SH events at 1-year follow-up decreased from 0.3 ± 0.6 to 0.03 ± 0.2 (p < 0.001). Significant reductions in patients presenting an SH (26.4 % vs. 2.9 %, p < 0.001) and IAH (47.1 % vs. 25.9 %, p = 0.002) were observed, as well as improvements in QoL. TBR < 70 and TBR < 54 were not significantly reduced. Baseline GMI was inversely associated with a decrease in TBR < 70 [OR 0.37 (0.15-0.93)] and directly with an increase in time in range 70-180 mg/dL [OR 2.10 (1.03-4.28)].

Conclusions: FGM decreased SH and improved hypoglycemia awareness and QoL. Initial tight glycemic control was associated with a decrease in hypoglycemia, while patients with suboptimal control reduced hyperglycemia.

Keywords: Flash glucose monitoring; Recurrent hypoglycemia; Severe hypoglycemia; Type 1 diabetes.