Transitory Beneficial Effects of Professional Continuous Glucose Monitoring on the Metabolic Control of Patients with Type 1 Diabetes

Abstract

Background:

The benefit of professional continuous glucose monitoring (PCGM) in the metabolic control of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is uncertain.

Subjects and Methods:

This was a retrospective study of all consecutive T1DM patients who underwent a 6-day PCGM in our Diabetes Unit over the course of 17 months. According to the indication, two groups were arbitrarily defined: “hyperglycemic” and “hypoglycemic.” Data from medical files and sensor reports were reviewed. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA_1c) was evaluated 2–4 weeks prior to PCGM, as well as 3–5 and 12 months after PCGM. In the hypoglycemic group, the number of self-reported mild hypoglycemic episodes (as defined by the American Diabetes Association) was collected.

Results:

Of the 67 patients reviewed, 43 were in the hyperglycemic group, and 24 were in the hypoglycemic group. In the hyperglycemic group, the HbA_1c level dropped at 3–5 months post-intervention from 8.45±0.72% to 8.04±0.9%, with the decline being statistically significant (−0.4%; P=0.001) and positively correlated with the initial HbA_1c value (0.366; P=0.016). One year after the PCGM study, the HbA_1c level tended to return to the initial values: 8.20±1.05% (−0.24%; P=0.081). In the hypoglycemic group, HbA_1c did not change either 3–5 or 12 months after PCGM, although the percentage of patients in whom the number of mild hypoglycemic episodes was significantly reduced was 86% (P=0.001).

Conclusions:

Although a transient phenomenon, PCGM can be useful in the short term in improving metabolic and clinical profile of suboptimally controlled T1DM subjects, including those with repeated hypoglycemia.