Does use of continuous or flash glucose monitors decrease hypoglycemia episodes in T2D?

J Fam Pract. 2023 Jul;72(6):271-275. doi: 10.12788/jfp.0643.

Abstract

NO. In adults with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes (T2D), continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and flash glucose monitoring (FGM) do not decrease symptomatic hypoglycemia episodes (strength of recommendation [SOR], B) but do lower time in hypoglycemia (SOR, C; disease-oriented evidence).CGM, in which glucose levels are sent automatically in numeric and graphic format to a patient's smart device for their potential action, did not change the hypoglycemic event rate (SOR, B; 2 prospective studies). CGM significantly reduced hypoglycemia duration in an 8-month randomized controlled trial (RCT; SOR, C) but not in a 1-year prospective study (SOR, C).FGM, in which glucose levels are sent on demand to a device, did not significantly reduce hypoglycemic episodes (SOR, B; 1 small RCT and 1 prospective study). Hypoglycemia duration was reduced significantly with FGM in a 6-month RCT (SOR, B) but not in a 1-year prospective study (SOR, B).

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Blood Glucose
  • Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemia* / diagnosis
  • Hypoglycemia* / prevention & control
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Prospective Studies

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Hypoglycemic Agents