Real-Time Continuous Glucose Monitoring to Support Self-Care: Results from a Pilot Study of Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

Accuracy and Functionality of Select Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems Are Not Impacted by Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Devices

BACKGROUND

Increasing numbers of individuals with diabetes are adopting use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in their daily self-management. Many of these individuals have advanced heart disease. Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) devices can effectively reduce arrhythmic death and all-cause mortality in individuals with advanced heart disease. However, the potential impact of ICD devices on CGM system accuracy and functionality has not been well studied.

METHODS

This evaluation assessed whether FreeStyle Libre (FL) CGM systems can coexist and function within the same patient in the presence of wireless interference devices, including current ICD devices. Interferer sources included Wi-Fi devices, Bluetooth devices, cellular mobile devices, implantable medical devices, Bluetooth Low-Energy (BLE) devices, BLE accessory devices and BLE mobile devices, and ICD-programmer interferers. Five testing methodologies were used to evaluate the accuracy and functionality of the CGM systems when exposed to ICD functions: high-energy emergency shocking, pacing modes, anti-tachycardia pacing mode (ATP), and DC Fibber mode.

RESULTS

All acceptance criteria and testing requirements were met for the CGM and ICD system for wireless coexistence evaluation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings demonstrated that coexisting ICD devices and FL CGM systems provide safe and effective wireless communications with functional and accurate transfer of data during scenarios expected in clinical use.

Acceptability and experiences of real-time continuous glucose monitoring in adults with type 2 diabetes using insulin: a qualitative study

Aims

To explore the lived experiences of initiating real-time continuous glucose monitoring (rt-CGM) use in individuals with type 2 diabetes using insulin.

Methods

Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted amongst individuals with type 2 diabetes taking insulin who were enrolled in the 2GO-CGM randomised controlled trial and had completed 3 months of rtCGM. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed to identify common themes regarding their experiences.

Results

The interviews revealed three key themes: i) rtCGM as a facilitator of improved health behaviours; ii) the acceptability of rtCGM systems compared to capillary blood glucose testing; and iii) barriers to the continual usage of rtCGM technology - including: connection difficulties, longevity of the sensors, and local cutaneous reactions to the sensor adhesive.

Conclusion

Adults on insulin with type 2 diabetes find rtCGM systems widely acceptable, and easier to engage with than traditional self-monitoring of capillary blood glucose.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40200-024-01403-9.

Mixed methods study on the feasibility of implementing periodic continuous glucose monitoring among individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus in a primary care setting

Background

Health care professionals (HCPs) play a central role in leveraging technologies to support individuals with diabetes. This mixed-method study was completed to determine the feasibility of implementing periodic continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in a primary care setting.

Aim

This study aimed to evaluate and describe the experiences of using periodic CGM with data visualization tools in patients with type 2 diabetes to foster a person-centered approach in a primary care setting.

Methods

Fifty outpatients aged ≥18 years, diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, and with a disease duration of at least 2 years were included in this study. Data were collected from April 2021 to January 2022. Patients completed a single period of sensor measurements for 28 days and a diabetes questionnaire about feelings and experiences of health care. HbA1c was also measured. A focus group interview was conducted to evaluate and describe the HCPs experiences of using periodic CGM.

Results

Patients reported to HCPs that the CGM device was comfortable to wear and noted that LibreView was easy to use when scanning the sensor to obtain and visualize the glucose levels and trends. Data availability of CGM data was >70 %.Clinical observations revealed a mean reduction in HbA1c, mmol/mol from 60.06 [7.65 %] at baseline to 55.42 [7.20 %] after 4 weeks (p < 0.001). Two categories were identified: 1) Fostering dialogue on self-care and 2) Promoting understanding.

Conclusions

The HCPs and participants in this study had a positive experience or viewed the implementation of periodic CGM with data visualization tools as a positive experience and appeared to be feasible for implementation in a primary care setting.

Coverage for Continuous Glucose Monitoring for Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Treated with Nonintensive Therapies: An Evidence-Based Approach to Policymaking

Numerous studies have demonstrated the clinical benefits of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) who are treated with intensive insulin regimens. Based on this evidence, CGM is now a standard of care for individuals within these diabetes populations and widely covered by commercial and public insurers. Moreover, recent clinical guidelines from the American Diabetes Association and American Association of Clinical Endocrinology now endorse CGM use in individuals treated with nonintensive insulin regimens. However, despite increasing evidence supporting CGM use for individuals treated with less-intensive insulin therapy or noninsulin medications, insurance coverage is limited or nonexistent. This narrative review reports key findings from recent randomized, observational, and retrospective studies investigating use of CGM in T2D individuals treated with basal insulin only and/or noninsulin therapies and presents an evidence-based rationale for expanding access to CGM within this population.

Personalised Nutritional Recommendations Based on Individual Post-Prandial Glycaemic Responses Improve Glycaemic Metrics and PROMs in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Real-World Assessment

The recommended first-line therapy in type 2 diabetes (T2D) is lifestyle modification. In many patients, such interventions fail, and disease progresses inexorably to medication requirement. A potential reason for the failure of standard nutritional interventions is the use of generic dietary advice, with no personalisation to account for differences in the effect of food on blood glucose between different individuals. Another is the lack of instant feedback on the impact of dietary modification on glycaemic control, which supports sustained behaviour change. The use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) may help address both these shortcomings. We conducted an observational study to explore how personalised nutritional information impacts glycaemic control and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) of well-being. Free-living people with T2D eating their normal diet were provided with personalised nutritional recommendations by state-registered nutritionists based on the CGM-enabled analysis of individual post-prandial glycaemic responses (PPGRs). Participants demonstrated considerable inter-individual differences in PPGRs, reductions in post-prandial incremental area under the curve (iAUC) and daytime AUC, and improvements in energy levels, ability to concentrate, and other PROMs. These results suggest a role for personalised nutritional recommendations based on individual-level understanding of PPGRs in the non-pharmaceutical management of T2D.