Continuous glucose monitoring useful in adults with type 1 diabetes

Continuous glucose monitoring may improve glucose control in adults aged 25 years or older with type 1 diabetes, but it may not be as effective for children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes, according to recently published data.

Researchers from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Continuous Glucose Monitoring Study Group conducted a multicenter trial to determine the efficacy of continuous glucose monitoring in patients with type 1 diabetes.

The study included 322 patients who were randomly assigned to continuous glucose monitoring (n=165) or a control group that monitored at home with a blood glucose meter (n=157). Patients were stratified by age: 25 years of age or older (n=98), 15 to 24 years of age (n=110) and eight to 14 years of age (n=114).

From baseline to 26 weeks, the researchers reported an age-related difference in glycated hemoglobin levels among the continuous monitoring cohort. The change favored those 25 years of age and older (mean difference, –0.53%; P<.001), compared to those aged 15 to 24 years (0.08; P=.52) and those aged eight to 14 years (–0.13; P=.29).

Compared with controls, those aged 25 years and older in the continuous monitoring group experienced improvements in almost all measures of glycemic control. Among those aged 25 years and older, a relative reduction in the mean glycated hemoglobin level totaling 10% or more from baseline occurred more often in the continuous glucose monitoring group (P=.003).

More patients aged 25 years and older in the continuous glucose monitoring group reached the target glycated hemoglobin level of <7%, recommended by the American Diabetes Association, compared with controls in this age group (P=.005), according to the researchers.

N Engl J Med. 2008;doi:10.1056/NEJMoa0805017.