Reducing HbA1c in T1D and T2D With Flash Glucose Monitoring

Patients with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes (T1D, T2D) may experience significant reductions in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels with the use of ambulatory glucose profiling by means of flash glucose monitoring (FCGM), according to a study published in Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics. 

Researchers performed a retrospective analysis of 5072 patients with either T1D or T2D from 7 different diabetes clinics in India who had levels of HbA1c ≥7% and who were being treated with FCGM-based ambulatory glucose profiling. Participants wore the FCGM sensor for a total of 14 days, and glucose level was measured in participants every 15 minutes.

Study results showed an overall significant reduction in HbA1c for patients in both the treatment and control groups, with a significantly higher HbA1c reduction in those treated with FCGM compared with controls (1% vs 0.7%, P <.001). A higher reduction was noted in patients with T2D when compared with those with T1D (pre- vs post-ambulatory glucose profiling: 9.2% vs 8.3%, P <.001, and 9.6% vs 9.4%, P <.001, respectively). However, the absolute difference in HbA1c reduction between cases and controls was higher in patients with T1D (0.5% vs. 0.2%). In addition, it was found that patients who did not use ambulatory glucose profiling had a 1.42 higher risk for not having a 0.1% decrease in HbA1c levels when compared with those who did use ambulatory glucose profiling (95% CI, 1.24-1.64).

Researchers concluded that the use of continuous glucose monitoring or FCGM devices serves as a helpful tool for clinicians to monitor blood glucose patterns over time in patients with T1D and T2D and assists in the modification and improvement of glycemic control without increasing episodes of hypoglycemia. 

Reference

Anjana RM, Kesavadev J, Neeta D, et al. A multicenter real-life study on the effect of flash glucose monitoring on glycemic control in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2017;19(9):533-540.