title: Use of a real-time continuous glucose monitoring system in children and young adults on insulin pump therapy: patients' and caregivers' perception of benefit.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Real-time continuous glucose monitoring systems (RT-CGMS) are a recently introduced technology for type 1 diabetes and experience in children is limited.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess patient and caregiver's perception of benefits and disadvantages of RT-CGMS in children or young adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) on insulin pump therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-three subjects (3-25 yr) on insulin pump therapy were included in the study. Thirty-four used RT-CGMS for a short-term trial (4 wk, ST group) and nine as a long-term tool (2-18 months, LT group). Forty subjects or their caregivers completed a questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On the basis of the questionnaire responses, hypoglycemia prevention was the most common perceived benefit (88%), followed by elimination of hypoglycemia-related anxiety (83%), ease of pattern management (85%), improvement of diabetes control (80%), improvement of quality of life (78%), and ease of diabetes care (78%). Negative effects included irritation/annoyance from the sensor alarm (48%) and insertion site bruising, pain, or irritation (43%). A small percentage of patients who were interested in purchasing the device (12%) decided against using it LT after a 4-wk trial on RT-CGMS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The most common perceived benefits of RT-CGMS are prevention of hypoglycemia and decrease in hypoglycemia-related anxiety. Negative effects are uncommon and seem to be unlikely to affect the decision to use RT-CGMS for a LT. A ST trial seems to be a valuable tool for the patient/caregiver in determining whether to purchase the device and in setting realistic expectations of its potential benefits.
authors: Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, Spectrum Health, Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes Clinic, 230 Michigan Street NE, Suite 101, MC 77, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49503, USA. ayse.cemeroglu@devoschildrens.org
authors: Ayse Pinar
authors: AP
authors: Cemeroglu
authors: Roberta
authors: R
authors: Stone
authors: Lora
authors: L
authors: Kleis
authors: Michael S
authors: MS
authors: Racine
authors: Daniel C
authors: DC
authors: Postellon
authors: Michael A
authors: MA
authors: Wood
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis*; D015190:Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003199:Computer Systems; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007332:Insulin Infusion Systems; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010465:Perception / Q000502:physiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin