Continuous glucose monitoring in youth with type 1 diabetes: 12-month follow-up of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation continuous glucose monitoring randomized trial.

BACKGROUND

The use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in the pediatric population is not well characterized. We have evaluated the use of CGM over a 12-month interval in youth with type 1 diabetes (TID) and have provided a description of CGM use.

METHODS

Eighty subjects 8-17 years old with T1D and baseline hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) >or=7.0% used CGM as part of a 6-month randomized trial and subsequent 6-month extension study. Outcomes included frequency of CGM use, HbA1c levels, rate of severe hypoglycemia, and a CGM satisfaction scale.

RESULTS

Seventy-six (95%) of 80 subjects were using CGM after 6 months (median use = 5.5 days/week) compared with 67 (84%) after 12 months (median use = 4.0 days/week). The 17 subjects using CGM >or=6 days/week in month 12 had substantially greater improvement from baseline in HbA1c than did the 63 subjects using CGM <6 days/week in month 12 (mean change - 0.8 +/- 0.6% vs. +0.1 +/- 0.7%, P < 0.001). They also reported greater satisfaction with use of CGM (P = 0.001). The incidence of severe hypoglycemic events was low during the 12 months of the study irrespective of the amount of CGM use.

CONCLUSIONS

In youth with T1D, frequency of use decreases over time. Individuals who use CGM on a near-daily basis can have substantial improvement in glycemic control.