Real-time continuous glucose monitoring

Abstract

Purpose of review: To summarize the current literature on real-time continuous glucose monitors, focusing on devices that have been approved or are pending approval.

Recent findings: Real-time continuous glucose sensors are new tools to assist in diabetes management. Several devices are currently being sold and additional monitors are expected to be available shortly. These sensors measure interstitial glucose - a distinct physiologic space when compared with the blood glucose. The ability to recognize trends in blood glucose levels provides a new paradigm for making insulin dose decisions and treating hypo- and hyperglycemia.

Summary: Real-time continuous glucose monitoring systems are currently less accurate than home glucose meters, but provide information every 1-5 min throughout the day and night with alarms for hyper- and hypoglycemia, providing information on glucose trends and nocturnal glycemic excursions. Current real-time sensors are behavior modification tools. Thus, improvements in diabetes control depend on the willingness of patients to modify their diabetes management based on information provided by these devices.