Use of CGMs is linked with significant improvements in glucose control, study reveals

Results from the DIaMonD study, sponsored by DexCom and looking into the effectiveness of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) over other diabetes management methods, have recently been released.
Researchers investigated whether using CGM benefits glucose control in type 1 diabetes patients as opposed to self monitoring blood glucose testing along with multiple daily injections or via an insulin pump, for example.
Technology in diabetes has increased steadily over recent years. We have come a long way since standard home glucose monitoring devices which only gives a blood glucose value at one point in time.
With CGM, patients currently with type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes have both accurate and timely readings of their blood sugar values, and can also set up both low and high alerts.
This important advance in diabetes management, led by companies like DexCom, Medtronic and Abbott, is thought to not only help people with diabetes stay healthy and avoid complications, but also allow them to live much more normal lives.
However, tangible evidence of its benefits in specific groups of users was lacking until now.
The current study addressed this issue by randomizing 150 people with type 1 diabetes aged 25 years and older who are not at target diabetes control. The participants have all been checking their blood sugar levels multiple times per day and using multiple daily injections rather than insulin pumps.
The patients were then split into two groups; one using CGM and one continuing with their usual method of using a blood glucose meter.
The findings revealed that there was much better improvement in those who had continuous glucose monitoring, with a difference in HbA1c of more than 6.6 mmol/mol (0.6%).
This suggests that CGM may greatly benefit those with type 1 diabetes who are taking insulin injections.
The study authors believe that we could see CGM taking an earlier role in many patients for the diabetes education component.
It could help them better understand all the factors that affect their glucose control – in terms of what happens with food, exercise and with their insulin injections – as well as improve their quality of life.
In the UK, Labour MP Jamie Reed has recently launched a petition calling for the government to increase availability of CGMs for patients with type 1 diabetes.