Impact of blinded retrospective continuous glucose monitoring on clinical decision making and glycemic control in persons with type 2 diabetes on insulin therapy

Abstract

Background and aims: Blinded retrospective continuous glucose monitoring (rCGM) provides detailed information about real-life glycaemic profile. In persons with type 2 diabetes without adequate glycaemic control, the structured introduction of rCGM may be beneficial to sustain improvements in diabetes management.

Methods and results: 102 individuals with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes, age less than 66 years old and HbA1c >7.5%, were recruited. Participants performed a 7-day blinded rCGM (iPro2) every four months for one year. Biochemical, anthropometric, and rCGM data was collected. Participants' and healthcare professionals' perceptions were assessed. 90 participants completed the protocol. HbA1c was 9.1 ± 0.1% one year prior to enrolment and 9.4 ± 0.1% at enrolment (p < 0.01). With the rCGM-based intervention, a decrease in HbA1c was achieved at 4 months (8.4 ± 0.1%, p < 0.0001), and 12 months (8.1 ± 0.1%, p < 0.0001). A significant increase in time-in-range was observed (50.8 ± 2.4 at baseline vs 61.5 ± 2.2% at 12 months, for 70-180 mg/dL, p < 0.001), with no difference in exposure time to hypoglycaemia. After 12 months, there was an increase in self-reported diabetes treatment satisfaction (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: In persons with type 2 diabetes and poor metabolic control, specific data from blinded rCGM informed therapeutic changes and referral to targeted education consultations on nutrition and insulin administration technique. Therapeutic changes were made more frequently and targeted to changes in medication dose, timing, and/or type, as well as to lifestyle. Together, these brought significant improvements in clinical outcomes, effective shared decision-making, and satisfaction with treatment.

Registration number: NCT04141111.

Keywords: Devices; Education; Lifestyle; Psychological aspects; Self-management.

Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Copyright © 2021 The Italian Diabetes Society, the Italian Society for the Study of Atherosclerosis, the Italian Society of Human Nutrition and the Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.