Real-World Outcomes of Glucose Sensor Use in Type 1 Diabetes-Findings from a Large UK Centre

Biosensors (Basel). 2021 Nov 15;11(11):457. doi: 10.3390/bios11110457.

Abstract

Flash glucose monitoring (FGM) and real-time continuous glucose monitoring (RT-CGM) are increasingly used in clinical practice, with improvements in HbA1c and time in range (TIR) reported in clinical studies. We aimed to evaluate the impact of FGM and RT-CGM use on glycaemic outcomes in adults with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) under routine clinical care. We performed a retrospective data analysis from electronic outpatient records and proprietary web-based glucose monitoring platforms. We measured HbA1c (pre-sensor vs. on-sensor data) and sensor-based outcomes from the previous three months as per the international consensus on RT-CGM reporting guidelines. Amongst the 789 adults with T1DM, HbA1c level decreased from 61.0 (54.0, 71.0) mmol/mol to 57 (49, 65.8) mmol/mol in 561 people using FGM, and from 60.0 (50.0, 70.0) mmol/mol to 58.8 (50.3, 66.8) mmol/mol in 198 using RT-CGM (p < 0.001 for both). We found that 23% of FGM users and 32% of RT-CGM users achieved a time-in-range (TIR) (3.9 to 10 mmol/L) of >70%. For time-below-range (TBR) < 4 mmol/L, 70% of RT-CGM users and 58% of FGM users met international recommendations of <4%. Our data add to the growing body of evidence supporting the use of FGM and RT-CGM in T1DM.

Keywords: Dexcom G6; Freestyle Libre; continuous glucose monitoring; flash glucose monitoring; type 1 diabetes.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Blood Glucose / analysis*
  • Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring / methods*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1* / diagnosis
  • Glycated Hemoglobin* / analysis
  • Humans
  • Retrospective Studies
  • United Kingdom

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Glycated Hemoglobin A