Abstract
Background
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic disease state with increased complications over time from uncontrolled glucose. Significant data has shown benefits of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in reducing glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) patients, but a lack of robust evidence is seen in T2DM. This study assessed the impact of short-term CGM placement on HbA1c levels in T2DM.
Objectives
The primary outcome was the change in baseline HbA1c levels in patients with T2DM up to six months after CGM placement. Secondary outcomes assessed intensification of diabetes medications made by an interprofessional team at a family medicine clinic.
Methods
This retrospective study evaluated changes in baseline HbA1c after short-term CGM placement in patients with T2DM between June 2017 and May 2020. Single-center data was collected from patients with T2DM who were ≥ 18 years old and HbA1c ≥ 6.5%. Participant data included age, sex, race, weight, blood pressure, heart rate, pre-/post-CGM HbA1c, and number and type of diabetes medications used before and after CGM placement. Medication regimen changes were made by a team of healthcare providers that included medical residents, a nurse who is a certified diabetes educator, clinical pharmacist and pharmacy students, and attending physicians. Descriptive statistics were used for patient demographics, and paired t-tests analyzed primary and secondary outcomes.
Results
115 patients were included in the study and had a mean baseline HbA1c of 9.9%. Upon review of HbA1c levels post-CGM placement, mean HbA1c was 8.8% (p=
Conclusions
This study showed a statistically and clinically significant reduction in HbA1c, most likely from an improved guidance of therapeutic decision making made by the healthcare team. Based on study results, CGM placement may be most useful for those T2DM patients unwilling or unable to adequately monitor blood glucose multiple times per day or in those who experience inadequate responses to their currently prescribed diabetes medications.
Recommended Citation
Hill, S. R., Robertson, C., O'Neal, T. B., & Garner, S. (2023). CGM use with interprofessional therapy management improves HbA1c levels in T2DM patients. Journal of Interprofessional Practice and Collaboration, 4(1). Retrieved from https://repository.ulm.edu/ojihp/vol4/iss1/2
