Continuous glucose monitoring reduces both hypoglycaemia and HbA1c in hypoglycaemia-prone type 1 diabetic patients treated with a portable pump.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) for glucose control in type 1 diabetic patients treated by continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) and presenting with frequent hypoglycaemic episodes.


METHODS
Thirteen patients with type 1 diabetes (diabetes duration: 25±15 years; CSII duration: 5.5±7.0 years), with more than six recorded capillary blood glucose (CBG) values <60 mg/dL, according to their metres for the past 14 days, were offered the permanent use of a CGM device (Guardian RT(®), Medtronic) plus ongoing self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) for 12 weeks, followed by a 12-week crossover period of SMBG only, or vice versa. Glucose control, determined by recorded 14-day CBG values <60 mg/dL and HbA(1c) levels, and quality of life according to the Diabetes Quality of Life (DQOL) questionnaire, were assessed at baseline, and after 12- and 24-week follow-ups.


RESULTS
Four patients withdrew from the study during the first period (of whom three were using CGM). In the nine study completers, the number of low CBG values decreased significantly from 13.9±9.2 to 7.6±6.8 (P=0.011) when patients used CGM, in either the initial or final trial period, while a decrease in HbA(1c) from 8.3±0.7 to 7.7±0.6% (P=0.049) was also observed, in contrast to the absence of any significant differences during the SMBG-only period. DQOL scores were also essentially unaffected.


CONCLUSIONS
This pilot observational study supports the hypothesis that CGM use can significantly improve overall glucose control while reducing hypoglycaemic episodes in hypoglycaemia-prone type 1 diabetic patients treated by CSII.
Radermecker
R P
RP
Division of Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Disorders, CHU de Liège, University of Liège, CHU Sart Tilman, bâtiment B35, 4000 Liège, Belgium. regis.radermecker@chu.ulg.ac.be
Saint Remy
A
A
Scheen
A J
AJ
Bringer
J
J
Renard
E
E
D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis*; D015190:Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007332:Insulin Infusion Systems; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin