A comparison of internet monitoring with continuous glucose monitoring in insulin-requiring type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Objective: To compare the effects of real-time continuous glucose monitoring (RT-CGM) and an Internet blood glucose monitoring system (IBGMS) on glycated hemoglobin levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus treated with insulin.

Methods: Fifty-seven patients with type 2 diabetes treated with insulin were assigned randomly to 1 of 2 groups. Group 1 had the results of their self-monitoring of blood glucose level monitored biweekly using an IBGMS. Group 2 used RT-CGM and were monitored biweekly. Both groups used a secure website to upload data and to receive feedback from their endocrinologist. A1C and laboratory test results were collected at 0, 3 and 6 months.

Results: The baseline parameters were not significantly different. After a 6-month follow-up period, both IBGMS and RT-CGM showed significant within-group improvements in A1C level. In the IBGMS group, the A1C level decreased from 8.79%±1.25% to 7.96%±1.30% (p<0.05). The RT-CGM group decreased from 8.80%±1.37% to 7.49%±0.70% (p<0.001). IBGMS and RT-CGM did not show significantly different A1C levels at baseline, 3 and 6 months (p>0.05).

Conclusions: The use of both IBGMS and RT-CGM significantly improved A1C levels in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with insulin in a randomized trial over a 6-month period. There were no significant differences in A1C values between groups after 6 months.

Keywords: Internet-based glucose monitoring; diabète de type 2; real-time continuous glucose monitoring; remote monitoring; surveillance du glucose en continu en temps réel; surveillance du glucose par Internet; surveillance à distance; type 2 diabetes.