Racial and ethnic disparities in children and adults in the usage of continuous glucose monitors: a scoping review protocol

• Published in: BMJ open Vol. 15; no. 3; p. e092883
• Main Authors: Melton, Forest, Kimaru, Linda Jepkoech, McClelland, D Jean, Reaven, Peter D, Palmer, Kelly N.B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England British Medical Journal Publishing Group 21.03.2025; BMJ Publishing Group LTD; BMJ Publishing Group
• Subjects: Adult; Blood Glucose - analysis; Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring - instrumentation; Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring - statistics & numerical data; Child; Cultural differences; Diabetes; DIABETES & ENDOCRINOLOGY; Diabetes and Endocrinology; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 - blood; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 - ethnology; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - blood; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - ethnology; Ethnicity - statistics & numerical data; Glucose; Health disparities; Health Equity; Healthcare Disparities - ethnology; Hispanic Americans; Humans; Insulin; Literature reviews; Minority & ethnic groups; Population; Protocol; PUBLIC HEALTH; Racial Groups; Research Design; Scoping Review as Topic; United States; Wearable Devices; United States; United States > US; PUBLIC HEALTH; Wearable Devices; DIABETES & ENDOCRINOLOGY; Health Equity
• ISSN: 2044-6055; 2044-6055
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-092883

IntroductionThis scoping review synthesises the existing literature on racial and ethnic disparities in the utilisation of continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) among adults and children with diabetes in the USA. The primary objective is to describe the extent and nature of these disparities, with the broader goal of informing future research and interventions to address health inequities.Methods and analysisGuided by the Joanna Briggs Institute methodological framework, this review will systematically search PubMed, Embase and Scopus for relevant studies. Included studies will focus on individuals diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes in the USA. Selection criteria will prioritise studies reporting demographic factors, CGM usage patterns and associated health outcomes. The primary outcome is the extent of racial and ethnic disparities in CGM utilisation. Data synthesis will use the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities Framework (NIMHD) to uncover patterns of CGM utilisation among racial–ethnic groups. The NIMHD facilitates a multilevel examination of the factors influencing CGM initiation, continued use and attrition by integrating individual, interpersonal, community and societal level influences. This comprehensive approach provides a nuanced understanding of the barriers and facilitators shaping CGM usage across diverse populations. By applying the NIMHD framework, this review aims to identify existing disparities, uncover gaps in the literature and offer direction for future research and interventions.Ethics and disseminationAs this study involves a review of previously published literature and does not involve human subjects research, institutional review board approval will not be pursued. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations and lay summaries.Literature review registration number https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/RGW6M.