Patients (>90% type 1 diabetes) using real time- continuous glucose monitoring (RT-CGM) for more than 3 months were asked to complete a questionnaire on type and duration of diabetes, self-reported complications, subjective reasons for RT-CGM use, source of payment for RT-CGM, personal income, time on the sensor, but also information such as perceived burden of diabetes, admissions for severe hypoglycaemia or ketoacidosis before and since commencing RT-CGM use. Of the 150 patients supplied with the questionnaire it was completed by 89%. Compliance was high with 77% reporting RT-CGM use ≥75% of the time. The proportion of patients having an HbA1c of ≤7% increased from 33% to 73% (p<0.001). Severe hypoglycaemia and hospital admissions for hypoglycaemia and ketoacidosis also decreased significantly. Patient satisfaction with the device was high. The impact of living with diabetes in daily life improved from 4.1 to 3.4 (p<0.001). The hypoglycaemia alarm was most appreciated.
In summary, we confirm that RT-CGM can be a valuable tool to support patients in the self-management of their type 1 diabetes in real life practice if they are willing and able to use the device at least 75% of the time.
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