Background: There is limited published evidence regarding the psychological effect of use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in the pediatric population with type 1 diabetes mellitus on metabolic control, fear of hypoglycemia, and patient or carer well-being. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of CGM on patient and carer well-being, worry, fear of hypoglycemia, and glycemic control.
Methods: Children aged >12 years independently completed the hypoglycemia fear survey (HFS). Parents and carers of children using CGM for a minimum of 12 months were asked to complete a modified version of the hypoglycemia fear survey for parents of young children (HFS-P) before and after CGM usage.
Results: Sixteen patients (8 boys) were included with median age of 13.5 years (2-17 years) and use of CGM for a minimum of 12 months. There was no significant improvement in the glycated hemoglobin after 12 months of CGM usage. Parents of all 16 patients completed the HFS-P survey. Of 12 young people eligible (age >12 years), 11 returned the HFS survey. Significant improvement was seen in both parental and patient fear of hypoglycemia after CGM (P < 0.001 and P = 0.003, respectively).
Conclusion: The use of CGM did not show any significant improvement in glycemic control after 12 months; however, parental and children's fear of hypoglycemia and worry were significantly reduced after the use of CGM. Larger studies on the psychological effects of CGM are warranted.
Keywords: Anxiety; CGM; Fear; Hypoglycemia; Type 1 diabetes mellitus.