People with type 1 diabetes must carefully balance insulin doses with eating and daily activities throughout the day and night – and still run the risk of dangerous high or low blood sugar levels. To help manage this daily challenge, a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) device provides continuous "real-time" readings and data about trends in glucose levels. The device can allow people to understand the level of their glucose and whether it is rising or falling, and to intervene by eating food or taking insulin to prevent it from going too high or too low.
Recent clinical practice guidelines released by the Endocrine Society recommend settings where people are most likely to benefit from the use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). The guidelines were published online in the October issue of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.
Recommendations from the guidelines include:
• Children and adolescents with T1D use currently approved CGM devices to assist in maintaining target HbA1c levels of less than 7.0%, while limiting the risk of hypoglycemia.
• Use of CGM devices by adults with T1D who have demonstrated they can use these devices on a nearly daily basis.
• CGM devices should not be used alone for glucose management in the intensive care unit or operating room, until further studies provide evidence for accuracy and safety.
According to David Klonoff, MD, chair of the task force that authored the guidelines, "CGM can be a beneficial tool to help maintain target levels of glycemia and limit the risk of hypoglycemia."
These recommendations build on the steps JDRF has taken to accelerate the development, regulatory approval, and clinical acceptance of continuous glucose monitoring to ensure that people with type 1 diabetes have access to technologies that will improve blood glucose control.
Furthermore, JDRF is leading the development of a closed-loop artificial pancreas system, to improve the lives of people with T1D by enabling them to maintain better control of their blood sugar. Although not a cure, we expect artificial pancreas systems to be external devices comprised of insulin pumps, continuous glucose sensors, and an algorithm to communicate between the two. To help speed its development, JDRF recently launched the Artificial Pancreas Campaign Petition to convince the FDA to adopt clinical expert recommendations. Additional information about the campaign and the petition is available by visiting the JDRF Advocacy website.