Page 142 - Glucose Monitoring Devices
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                                                                       CGM limitations



                  multicenter RCT (CONCEPTT), pregnant women and women planning a preg-
                  nancy with T1DM were randomized to adjunctive real-time CGM with capillary
                  glucose monitoring or capillary glucose monitoring alone [62]. The pregnant
                  CGM cohort reported more time in the target range, reduced glycemic variability,
                  and a minimal HbA1c reduction at 34 weeks gestation. In addition, neonatal
                  outcomes including large for gestational age, neonatal hypoglycemia, and admis-
                  sion to neonatal intensive care >24 h were all significantly reduced [62]. Glycemic
                  control outcomes revealed no HbA1c improvements in the women planning preg-
                  nancy; however, this cohort was not powered to identify significant changes seen in
                  the pregnancy cohort [62].


                  CGM quality of life data
                  An important aspect of managing chronic disease is understanding the impact both
                  the condition and the required long-term therapy have on an individual’s quality of
                  life. Self-monitoring the impact of daily activities on glycemia provides users with a
                  contextual understanding of how to modify their management to suit their lifestyle
                  and not vice versa. Applying the thematic analysis to semistructured interviews,
                  RT-CGM has been shown to enhance a sense of safety and control, while reducing
                  stress among a majority of T1DM participants at high risk of hypoglycemia [63].
                  However, a section of participants found CGM to be intrusive, frustrating, and serve
                  to remind us of the heterogeneous expectations of what is considered an improved
                  quality of life [63]. The subjective nature of these outcomes encourages further
                  investigation across varying diabetes populations.



                  CGM limitations

                  Despite the significant increase in CGM users over the last decade, SMBG remains
                  the universally accepted method for glucose monitoring for individuals with insulin-
                  requiring diabetes. Later we have outlined the factors limiting CGM uptake as a user,
                  physician, and device dependent.


                  User dependent
                  Similar to many chronic diseases, the daily experience of living with diabetes can
                  be extremely personal, and expectations can dynamically vary between individ-
                  uals. To successfully yield the proven benefits of CGM, healthcare professionals
                  must be insightful in identifying individuals that would struggle to apply the tech-
                  nology and those that would be resistant change and what it entails. Abandoning
                  well-served methods and adopting new practices can be frightening, and users
                  require the support of robust education programs to help facilitate the transition.
                  As established, forgetfulness is often cited as a reason behind SMBG noncompli-
                  ance. Frequent SMBG and blood glucose data analysis can be exhausting with
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