CONTINUOUS GLUCOSE MONITORING (CGM) FOR DIABETES MANAGEMENT
Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is a traditional method for diabetes management that uses finger-sticks to obtain a single snapshot of blood glucose levels at a particular time.1 Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), on the other hand, collects glucose data continuously throughout the day and night.2 It helps a healthcare professional to detect trends, track patterns, and identify fluctuations of glucose levels.2,3
Who should use CGM? Dr Richard Bergenstal shares his perspective.
Healthcare professional has received a fee from Novo Nordisk Inc. for his participation.
CGM wearable devices use a sensor inserted into the skin to continuously measure glucose levels in the interstitial fluid.2 The data are transmitted to a smartphone app or reader, which translates the information into actionable insights, potentially including2,3:
- Current glucose levels
- Mean glucose levels
- Glycemic variability
- Trend arrows that show if glucose levels are going up or down
- Percentages of time users spend within, above, or below their target glucose range—Time in Range (TIR), Time Above Range (TAR), and Time Below Range (TBR), respectively
Some of the systems may also have an alarm feature to alert users if their glucose levels are too high or too low.2
To have adequate data for an ambulatory glucose profile (AGP) report, it is recommended that people with diabetes wear a sensor at least 70% of the time for 14 days.2,3
Dr Alice Cheng, University of Toronto, shares her approach to discussing CGM data with patients.
Healthcare professional has received a fee from Novo Nordisk Inc. for her participation.
The benefits of continuously tracking glucose levels
CGM is a way for people with diabetes to track the percentage of time spent in a target glucose range.2,3 Compared with hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), which reflects a person’s average glucose levels over the previous 2 to 3 months, CGM data reflect 24-hour daily changes in glucose levels and can indicate patterns of glucose levels including TBR and TAR.2-4 These data can be used by people with diabetes to help manage their condition, giving them practical insights into how factors such as diet, exercise, and other behaviors may affect their daily glucose profiles. They may also be used to help inform treatment decisions by healthcare professionals.2-4
In addition to a treatment plan recommended by a healthcare professional, these detailed insights can help empower people with diabetes to take control of their own diabetes in between follow-up visits.
Lasse uses CGM to better understand his diabetes
Meet Lasse (32 years, type 1 diabetes, Denmark) and hear how using a CGM device helps him better understand his glucose levels and make smart lifestyle choices.
Patient with type 1 diabetes has received a fee from Novo Nordisk Inc. for his participation.
- Benjamin EM. Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose: The Basics. Clinical Diabetes. 2002; 20(1):45-47.
- American Diabetes Association. Standards of Care in Diabetes—2023. Diabetes Care. 2023;46(suppl 1):S1-S291.
- Battelino T, Danne T, Bergenstal RM, et al. Clinical Targets for Continuous Glucose Monitoring Data Interpretation: Recommendations From the International Consensus on Time in Range. Diabetes Care. 2019;42(8):1593-1603.
- Chehregosha H, Khamseh ME, Malek M, et al. A View Beyond HbA1c: Role of Continuous Glucose Monitoring. Diabetes Ther. 2019;10(3):853-863.