Use of CGM at Diabetes Camps May Reduce Hypoglycemia in Campers

The following article is part of coverage from the American Diabetes Association’s 80th Scientific Sessions (ADA 2020). Because of concerns regarding the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, all ADA 2020 sessions and presentations were transitioned to a virtual format. While live events will not proceed as planned, readers can click here to view more news related to research presented during the ADA 2020 virtual experience.

Use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) significantly decreases rates of hypoglycemia in children who attend camp programs designed for individuals with diabetes, according to study data presented during the American Diabetes Association’s 80th Scientific Sessions, held online from June 12 to 16, 2020.

Some camp programs designed for individuals with diabetes require participants to relinquish diabetes technology upon arrival. To investigate the acceptability and potential benefits of using CGM at these camps, researchers analyzed data from campers aged 7 to 18 years who were fitted with Dexcom CGM devices at a week-long diabetes camp in the United States.

In total, 11 campers who regularly used fingersticks to monitor blood glucose levels at home were provided with blinded Dexcom CGM devices. Data from these campers were compared with data from 47 campers who were already using Dexcom CGM systems with data sharing capabilities. Camp counselors were able to view nonblinded CGM data from these 47 campers using smart devices or on a centralized display in the medical cabin. Fingerstick testing was prompted when glucose levels were <80 or >250 mg/dL.

Campers whose blood glucose levels were remotely monitored had significant reductions in daytime and nighttime hypoglycemia and improvement in overnight time in range (65.09% vs 50.37%; P =.01) compared with campers whose CGM data were blinded. Remote monitoring also prompted 73 overnight interventions that may have been missed with fingerstick testing alone.

Based on their findings, the researchers stated that “[r]emote monitoring of CGM data at diabetes camp allows implementation of tighter target glucose ranges, facilitates timely hypoglycemia treatment, and should be encouraged at all diabetes camps.”

Disclosure: Several study authors declared affiliations with the pharmaceutical industry, including Dexcom, Inc. Please see the original reference for a full list of authors’ disclosures.

Reference

Gleich SE, Gibson-North ND, Puhr S, Welsh J, Walker TC, Caruso D. Remote monitoring of CGM data at diabetes camp mitigates hypoglycemia day and night. Presented at: American Diabetes Association 80th Scientific Sessions; June 12-16, 2020. Abstract 65-OR.

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