Perceived impact of continuous glucose monitor use on quality of life and self-care for patients with type 2 diabetes

• Published in: Diabetes epidemiology and management Vol. 6; p. 100068
• Main Authors: Johnston, Amanda R., Poll, Justin B., Hays, Emily M., Jones, Christopher W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Masson SAS 01.04.2022; Elsevier
• Subjects: Continuous glucose monitoring; Lifestyle factors; Lifestyle modifications; Quality of life; Self-monitoring of blood glucose; Type 2 diabetes; Continuous glucose monitoring; Type 2 diabetes; T1DM; T2DM; Lifestyle modifications; Self-monitoring of blood glucose; Lifestyle factors; CGM; Quality of life
• ISSN: 2666-9706; 2666-9706
• DOI: 10.1016/j.deman.2022.100068

Evidence for clinical and quality of life benefits of Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) use in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) is well established, but evidence in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is less robust or clear. This study aimed to help clarify the impact of CGMs for patients with T2DM and possible factors to such potential impact. Adult patients with T2DM who filled a CGM prescription for the first time within the previous 12 months were identified as potential participants for our mixed-methods study. Exploratory interviews were conducted first to gain insight and aid in developing a new CGM impact survey to address gaps in existing measures.  That survey was then administered to a larger sample from our identified patients. Our T2DM respondents experienced a reduction in A1c, improved glucose control, and better overall health and quality of life from CGM use but did not experience a reduction in the number of hypoglycemia episodes. Beyond the support our study adds to findings from previous studies as to the clinical and quality of life impact of CGM use for patients with T2DM, it also identifies increases in self-care behaviors as another area of CGM impact, an area largely missing in previous studies, and positions self-care behaviors and self-care support factors (diabetes knowledge and health self-efficacy) as a, or the, key variable between T2DM patients’ experience in using CGMs (e.g., ease of use and quality of data) and their ultimate clinical and health/quality of life outcomes from using the devices.