The use of continuous glucose monitoring systems in a pediatric population with type 1 diabetes mellitus in real-life settings: the AWeSoMe Study Group experience

• Published in: Acta diabetologica Vol. 52; no. 2; pp. 323 - 329
• Main Authors: Rachmiel, M., Landau, Z., Boaz, M., Mazor Aronovitch, K., Loewenthal, N., Ben-Ami, M., Levy-Shraga, Y., Modan-Moses, D., Haim, A., Abiri, S., Pinhas-Hamiel, O.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Milan Springer Milan 01.04.2015; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adolescent; Blood Glucose - analysis; Blood Glucose - metabolism; Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring - methods; Child; Child, Preschool; Diabetes; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 - blood; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Glucose; Humans; Internal Medicine; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Metabolic Diseases; Monitoring systems; Original Article; Pediatrics; Prospective Studies; Continuous glucose monitoring; Glycemic control; Children; Compliance; HbA1c; Sensor
• ISSN: 0940-5429; 1432-5233
• DOI: 10.1007/s00592-014-0643-6

Aims The aim of the study was (a) to compare annual glycemic control in pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) who used a healthcare-funded continuous glucose monitoring system (RT-CGMS) to that of those who performed self-monitoring blood glucose (SMBG) only, in a real-life setting, and (b) to define parameters associated with compliance and glycemic control. Methods A total of 149 youth with T1DM (52.3 % females), mean age 11.8 ± 3.6 years, and 83 in the CGMS group were followed prospectively for 12 months. Glycemic control parameters and compliance to RT-CGMS were assessed periodically. Results Glycemic parameters did not differ significantly between the groups during follow-up periods. The time spent with RT-CGMS decreased and only 38 % used it for more than 75 % of the time during the 12 months (consistent users). Mean HbA1c decreased by 0.27 % in consistent users and increased by 0.21 % among intermittent users (used RT-CGMS less than 75 % of time), p  = 0.013. Consistent users were younger 10. 6 ± 4.2 vs. 12.5 ± 3.6, p  = 0.07, and had higher frequency of SMBG at baseline, 10.6 ± 4.9 vs. 6.3 ± 2.8, p  = 0.011. Conclusions The adoption of RT-CGMS was low, even in a healthcare system that funds its use. Caregivers should consider patient characteristics when recommending RT-CGMS use.