Continuous glucose monitoring overview: features and evidence

Abstract

The prevalence of diabetes is growing in the United States at an alarming rate. Early and intensive diagnosis and management of diabetes can reduce the economic burden and improve the societal burden of long-term diabetes-related complications. Healthcare providers practicing in the primary care setting are on the front line of screening, diagnosis, and managing a large majority of persons with diabetes.Until recently, blood glucose monitoring, along with timely A1C measurements, has been the recommended means by which patients can best achieve their prescribed metabolic targets. However, supplies and testing can be costly and burdensome, affecting patient compliance and medication adherence. The recent introduction of integrated diabetes technology including continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) has had a tremendous impact on treating patients to their prescribed glycemic targets safely and efficiently while minimizing their risk of developing treatment-emergent hypoglycemia. Patients who utilize CGM are able to reduce their risk of hospitalizations, minimize work absenteeism, lower their A1C, lower their risk of hypoglycemia, as well as long-term microvascular and macrovascular complications.The American Diabetes Association updated its evidence-based Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes in 2022 around the use of CGM, as has the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology. Because these devices can have a positive effect on the management of persons with diabetes, managed care and healthcare providers should allow technological integration for their patients.