The Consistent Benefits of Continued Glucose Monitoring in Type 1 Diabetes Patients

At ENDO 2017 in Orlando, Florida, Janet McGill, MD, Washington University School of Medicine presented on the DIaMonD and GOLD Studies, which used continued glucose monitoring (CGM) in patients with type 1 diabetes who were in less than optimal control.

Both studies showed that the addition of CGM to these patients’ self-monitoring of blood glucose contributed to lower A1C, more time spent in range, less hypoglycemia, less severe hyperglycemia, and better quality of life.

According to McGill, the DIaMonD study showed equal effects across all age groups, by education, and by numeracy ability. The team had been concerned that their patients with low numeracy would have difficulty with their insulin doses, but the CGM actually was a tremendous help to these patients.

The results of the DIaMonD and GOLD studies showed that patients who take insulin by injection received similar benefits using CGM compared with patients on pump receive. Also, patients appeared to continuously wear the CGM over 6 days per week, leading to an uptake in the acceptance of the technology.

“I think CGM should be the first technology that we provide to patients in addition to the multiple daily injections. Pumps are also options, but they got the biggest benefit from CGM,” McGill told MD Magazine.