Objectives: We evaluated the effects of acquiring a flash continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system in the population with type 2 diabetes (T2D) treated with basal or noninsulin therapy.
Study design: This was a retrospective database analysis of the IBM MarketScan Commercial Claims and Medicare Supplemental databases that assessed rates of acute diabetes-related events (ADEs) and all-cause inpatient hospitalizations (ACHs) in a large population with T2D treated with basal insulin therapy or noninsulin medications. ADE and ACH rates 6 months prior to and 6 months post CGM acquisition were compared.
Methods: Inclusion criteria for analysis were diagnosis of T2D; age 18 years or older; treatment with long-acting, neutral protamine Hagedorn, or premixed insulin or noninsulin therapy; naïve to CGM; and acquisition of their flash CGM system between October 2017 and March 2019. Patients served as their own controls. Event rates were compared using weighted Cox regression with Andersen-Gill extension for repeat events.
Results: A cohort of 10,282 adults with T2D (mean [SD] age, 53.1 [9.6] years; 51.9% male) who met inclusion criteria were assessed. ADE rates decreased from 0.076 to 0.052 events per patient-year (HR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.58-0.80; P < .001). ACH rates decreased from 0.177 to 0.151 events per patient-year (HR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.77-0.94; P = .002).
Conclusions: Acquisition of the flash CGM system was associated with significant reductions in outpatient and inpatient ADEs and ACHs. These findings provide compelling evidence that use of flash CGM in patients with T2D treated with basal insulin therapy or noninsulin therapy improves clinical outcomes and potentially reduces costs.