Continuous Glucose Monitoring: Review of an Innovation in Diabetes Management

• Published in: The American journal of the medical sciences Vol. 358; no. 5; p. 332
• Main Authors: Mian, Zainab, Hermayer, Kathie L, Jenkins, Alicia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.11.2019
• Subjects: Blood Glucose - analysis; Diabetes Mellitus - diagnosis; Diabetes Mellitus - drug therapy; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents - administration & dosage; Infusion Pumps, Implantable; Insulin - administration & dosage; Patient Care Management - methods; Patient Care Management - trends; Risk Assessment; Continuous glucose monitoring; Fingerstick blood glucose testing; Hyperglycemia; Hypoglycemia; Sensor integrated pump technology
• ISSN: 1538-2990
• DOI: 10.1016/j.amjms.2019.07.003

Most continuous glucose monitors (CGM) provide interstitial fluid glucose trends, which reflect blood glucose trends with alarms and alerts to prevent hypoglycemia and provide better glycemic control. CGM used in conjunction with insulin pumps has changed the management of patients with insulin-dependent diabetes, mainly type 1 diabetes. CGM technology prevents the need for frequent blood glucose testing, which is often cumbersome for patients, providing them with a better alternative. CGM technology is underprescribed and therefore advantage should be taken of this technology to provide better hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) control and decrease incidence of diabetic complications. CGM is particularly useful in patients with hypoglycemia unawareness and nocturnal hypoglycemia. CGM is currently not approved in pregnant patients, in critically ill patients and patients on dialysis. Research suggests that the benefits certainly outweigh the limitations of this technology. This review article focuses on the technical and clinical use of continuous glucose monitoring and sensor-integrated pump technology.