LIVINGLIVING
results from this device can now be used
directly by patients to make diabetes
treatment decisions without confirmation
from a traditional fingerstick test."
Proof of positive impact of CGM for
diabetics on injections has been shown
via the DIaMonD study (Multiple Daily
Injections and Continuous Glucose
Monitoring in Diabetes), the first-of-itskind study that demonstrated the impact
of CGM on HbA1c and hypoglycemia in
participants on a multiple daily injection
(MDI) insulin regimen.
Published in January 2017 in Journal
of the American Medical Association
(JAMA), the study showed Dexcom
CGM System users on MDI achieved
a 1% average reduction in HbA1c after
24 weeks of regular use. In addition to
better glucose control, participants also
increased time spent in target range and
spent less time in hypo and hyperglycemia
when they used a Dexcom CGM system,
compared to those who used only a
standard meter to monitor their glucose.
There was a 49% reduction in time spent
in hypo (less than 3.9 mmol/L), a 53%
reduction in time spent at less than 3.3
mmol/L and a 69% reduction in time
spent at less than 2.8 mmol/L.
The study also dispelled certain
perceptions, such as CGM being
too complicated to use, as patients
demonstrated significant HbA1c
reductions regardless of education level,
maths ability, or age. A high level of
adherence was also achieved with 93%
of patients still using the Dexcom CGM
system more than at the end of the study.
Back in the US, Dexcom has recently
announced that it will be working with
health-wear providers Fitbit so that its
CGM users will be able to see CGM
data on Fitbit's newest item, the Ionic
Smartwatch, providing a convenient and
discreet way to track glucose levels on
wrist for users of both Android and iOS
devices to help people better manage their
diabetes and get a more complete picture
of their overall health with easy-to-use
mobile tools. "The collaboration between
Dexcom and Fitbit is an important step
in providing useful information to people
with diabetes that is both convenient and
discreet," said Kevin Sayer, President
and CEO, Dexcom. In addition to the
Dexcom CGM display for Fitbit Ionic, with
Fitbit's in-app Community, Dexcom CGM
users ought to be able to connect with
millions of people with whom they can
ask questions, seek support and share
successes in managing their health. The
companies are targeting availability as
soon as possible in 2018.
Along came Abbott
Then a few years ago along Abbott
and lobbed a bit of a grenade into the
diabetes care arena with tits FreeStyle
ON TARGET: CGM helps
you hit blood glucose
targets and increase
time-in-range