Aims: This real-world observational clinical programme evaluated short and medium-term effects of intermittent flash glucose monitoring on HbA1c, glycaemic variability and lifestyle behavioural changes.
Methods: Two first-generation Libre flash glucose monitoring sensors were provided 3-4 months apart with a food, activity diary, user evaluation survey and treatment modification after each sensor wear. T-tests were used to compare glucose variables within each sensor (week 1 vs. week 2) and between sensors (1st sensor vs. 2nd sensor). EasyGV software was used to calculate glycaemic variability.
Results: From 42 type 1 diabetes and 120 type 2 diabetes participants, there was no statistically significant change in mean HbA1c for participants with type 1 diabetes at 3-4 months after the 1st sensor but there was a statistically significant HbA1c reduction for participants with type 2 diabetes [-4 mmol/mol (-0.4%), p = 0.008], despite no statistically significant differences in carbohydrate intake, exercise frequency and duration. Greater reduction was seen in those with baseline HbA1c> 86 mmol/mol (10%) in both type 1 [-12 mmol/mol (-1.1%), p = 0.009] and type 2 diabetes [-11 mmol/mol (-1.0%), p = 0.001). Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes showed improvements in Glucose Management Indicator and percentage time-above-range when comparing week 1 versus week 2 of the same sensor. Higher scan frequency resulted in improved glycaemic parameters and certain measures of glycaemic variability. The majority of participants (85%) agreed that flash glucose monitoring is a useful device but only 60% were keen to use it for daily monitoring.
Conclusion: Constant feedback from flash glucose monitoring improves glycaemic parameters within the first week of wear. Intermittent use 3-4 months apart resulted in greater improvements for those with higher baseline HbA1c.
Keywords: blood glucose monitoring; diabetes mellitus; flash glucose monitoring; glucose sensors; glycaemic variability.
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