Freestyle libre flash glucose monitoring improves patient quality of life measures in children with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) with appropriate provision of education and support by healthcare professionals

Abstract

Background: In 2017 the UK's Association of Children's Diabetes Clinicians (ACDC) launched a national educational package to provide training in the use of Freestyle Flash glucose monitoring (GM) to healthcare professionals.

Objective: To evaluate metabolic outcomes and quality of life (QoL) of children with T1DM trained in the use of the Freestyle Flash GM system adopting the ACDC guidelines.

Methods: Prospective study conducted at a single UK children's diabetes unit from 2017 to 2018.52 children with T1DM (age 5-18 yrs) were commenced on the Freestyle Flash GM system, received education and were followed up for 12 months. The Peds QL 3.2 diabetes questionnaire was used to assess QoL before and after the use of the system. HbA1c was measured at 3, 6 and 12 months pre and post use of Freestyle.

Results: 52 children (33 M,19 F) with a mean age of 11.6 yrs (range 4 m-17.2 yrs) were evaluated. Mean HbA1c 3 months post Freestyle Flash GM showed a significant improvement when compared with HbA1c values at 12, 6 and 3 months pre Freestyle (p-value 0.040, 0.040, 0.012 respectively). This improvement was not sustained at 6 and 12 months (p-value 0.15, 0.50). The PedsQL3.2 diabetes scores demonstrated significant improvement in patient QoL, reduction of diabetes symptoms and treatment barriers following the use of the new technology (p-values 0.014; 0.018; 0.035 respectively).

Conclusions: Freestyle Flash GM technology associated with appropriate education and regular support by healthcare professionals improves patient quality of life measures in children with T1DM.