New research on the effectiveness of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in the management of diabetes was presented at the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting in 2024. This study emphasizes how Continuous Glucose Monitors and CGM optimization systems can help patients become more self-aware and give medical professionals insightful knowledge about glycemic control.
Recognizing the Diabetes Environment
With almost 40 million cases reported in the US alone, diabetes continues to be a major public health concern. Numerous consequences, including microvascular, macrovascular, and neuropathic problems, can result from the condition. Improving patient outcomes and lowering the risk of complications depend on effective diabetes control.
CGM’s Function in Diabetes Management
As a vital tool for managing diabetes, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) has become well known for providing a thorough and detailed picture of blood glucose levels. In contrast to more conventional glucose monitoring techniques like fingerstick testing, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) offers continuous real-time data, enabling better-informed choices about medicine, food, and lifestyle modifications.
Overcoming Application Challenges in the Real World
Even though earlier studies have shown how effective continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is in controlling diabetes, little is known about how practical CGM is, especially in environments with limited resources. To close this disparity, researchers from the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston and Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in New York carried out a quality improvement initiative study to evaluate the effects of a multimodal strategy on CGM utilization.
The Program for Continuous Glucose Monitors and CGM Optimization
Researchers created a diabetes technology team to supervise the deployment of a CGM clinical care optimization program. This team convened once a week to design multilingual patient handouts, cultivate partnerships with CGM vendors, extend medical assistant responsibilities related to diabetes technology and training, create a CGM workflow, and create a CGM manual for data download, billing, coding, and teaching.
Study Results
The trial, which ran from February to November 2023, assessed information gathered both at the most recent patient visit and before the start of CGM. 333 patients received prescriptions for Continuous Glucose Monitors or CGMs following a nine-month optimization program. The majority of the patients in this diverse patient population had type 2 diabetes, and their insurance coverage varied.
Effect on Glycemic Management
After 154 days on average, among the 116 patients assessed for the effect of CGM, there were notable improvements in HbA1c levels. Notably, patients with a baseline A1c of 9% or higher had lower HbA1c values, indicating that the program was successful in achieving better glycemic control.
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FAQs
What is an optimization program for CGM?
People with diabetes can maximize the benefits of their continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) equipment by enrolling in a CGM optimization program. It gives patients information and assistance on how to read CGM data, modify their insulin or prescription dosage, and enhance their general glycemic control (blood sugar control).
What’s Glycemic Management?
The ability of a person with diabetes to control their blood sugar levels is known as glucose control. Preventing diabetes-related long-term consequences is essential.
How many patients in settings with limited resources benefit from a CGM Optimization Program?
- Enhanced self-awareness: Patients can make knowledgeable decisions regarding medicine, nutrition, and exercise by viewing real-time blood sugar patterns.
- Better interaction with medical professionals: CGM data enables more knowledgeable therapy modifications to be made during consultations.
- Potentially lower HbA1c levels: Research indicates that using a CGM may result in appreciable drops in HbA1c, a crucial indicator of long-term blood sugar management.
In environments with limited resources, what are the difficulties in putting a CGM optimization program into practice?
- Cost: The continuous supplies needed for Continuous Glucose Monitors or CGMs might be costly.
- Access: There may not be as much access to Continuous Glucose Monitors or CGMs and qualified medical personnel as there once was.
- Training and education: For patients to comprehend and make the best use of their CGM data, they might need extra assistance.
What steps can be taken to resolve these issues?
- Investigating methods of cutting costs, such as haggling with suppliers or providing financial aid.
giving high-risk patients who stand to gain the most priority when using Continuous Glucose Monitors or CGMs. - Creating educational materials to help patients and medical professionals use CGMs as efficiently as possible while working with limited resources.
Is there proof that these initiatives are effective?
According to a recent study, CGM Optimization Programs can be effective even in environments with limited resources. HbA1c levels significantly improve in patients using Continuous Glucose Monitors or Continuous Glucose Monitors or CGMs with appropriate support, according to studies.
To whom may the CGM Optimization Program be beneficial?
Patients with diabetes can benefit from the Continuous Glucose Monitors and CGM Optimization Program, especially those who live in areas with low resources. It enhances glycemic management and offers healthcare professionals insightful information.
Can patients with various insurance coverage participate in the program?
Indeed, the initiative seeks to make itself available to people with various levels of insurance. To ensure a broad patient population, the study included participants with commercial insurance as well as Medicaid/Medicare.
How long does the program take to show improvements in glycemic control?
The study showed improvements in glycemic control after an average of 154 days. Individual outcomes, however, could differ depending on things like program adherence and starting A1c values.
What effects will CGM optimization programs have in the future?
Particularly in environments with limited resources, Continuous Glucose Monitors and CGM Optimization Programs have the potential to greatly enhance diabetes treatment and outcomes. Ongoing studies and projects in this field can improve diabetes treatment worldwide.
Who carried out the CGM Optimization program research?
Researchers from the Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in New York and the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston carried out the study on CGM Optimization Programs.
What were the study’s primary conclusions?
333 patients obtained prescriptions for CGM after nine months of the optimization program, according to the study. HbA1c values showed notable improvements, especially in patients whose baseline A1c was 9% or higher.
In Summary
The results of this study highlight the value of Continuous Glucose Monitors and CGM optimization programs in raising patient awareness of their condition and giving medical professionals insightful knowledge on glycemic management. Enhancing clinical treatment and increasing outcomes for people with diabetes requires the implementation of such programs in areas with limited resources. In the future, further studies and programs centered on CGM optimization will be essential to improving diabetes care and patients’ quality of life across the globe.
