Abbott’s Freestyle Libre continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system led to similar reductions in glucose levels in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, according to the newly announced results of an analysis commissioned by the company — demonstrating that many people with type 2 may benefit from using such a system.
CGM systems typically involve wearing a sensor that is inserted under the skin, which connects to a transmitter that adheres to the skin surface. The transmitter than sends glucose readings to another device, such as a smartphone, at regular intervals, which can set off notices or alarms if someone’s glucose levels is rising or dropping rapidly. Abbott’s Freestyle Libre system uses sensor-transmitters that are designed to be changed every 14 days. Users can also scan their sensor with an appropriate device to get an immediate glucose reading, instead of using a traditional (finger-stick) glucose meter.
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Most CGM systems were originally designed to be used by people with type 1 diabetes, who tend to be at greatest risk for unexpected glucose drops and spikes because they don’t produce any of their own insulin and must control their glucose levels with insulin that is injected, infused, or inhaled. But many people with type 2 diabetes who use insulin also face potentially volatile blood glucose levels, and might also benefit from warnings when their glucose level is changing quickly or moves outside their target range. There is ongoing debate, though, about how useful CGM might be for people with type 2 — in part because it may be difficult to define who in this group is a good candidate for CGM.
For the latest analysis, which was presented at the 2022 Advanced Technologies & Treatments for Diabetes (ATTD) Congress in Barcelona, Spain, researchers looked at the results of 75 real-world observational studies involving people with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. These studies lasted for up to 24 months, during which participants in at least some of the study arms used a version of the Freestyle Libre system.
Freestyle Libre linked to A1C reductions in insulin users with type 2
“Many people with type 2 diabetes who use insulin have a very similar experience to people with type 1 diabetes in terms of the risk of complications and the need to monitor blood glucose, but access to sensing technology is rarely equal for both groups,” said Mark Evans, MD, university professor of diabetic medicine at the University of Cambridge in England, in the announcement from Abbott. “Our analysis demonstrates the value of constant glucose monitoring to support glycemic control in people with advanced type 2 diabetes who use insulin.”
The analysis also showed that people who started with the highest A1C levels (a measure of long-term glucose control) tended to experience the greatest A1C reductions after starting on the Freestyle Libre system. Taken together, these results may provide a basis for insurance providers to cover CGM systems for a larger segment of people with type 2 diabetes — since better glucose control can mean fewer long-term complications and, over time, lower health care costs.
Want to learn more about managing blood glucose? See our “Blood Sugar Chart,” then read “What Is a Normal Blood Sugar Level?” and “Strike the Spike II: How to Manage High Blood Glucose After Meals.”
