Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Type 1 Diabetes

Continuous glucose monitoring devices, which measure interstitial glucose via subcutaneous sensors, now are available commercially. To determine the value of such devices, 322 adults and children with type 1 diabetes (glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA_1c] level, 7%–10%) were randomized to continuous glucose monitoring or to conventional monitoring (fingerstick testing ≥4 times daily). Three prespecified age subgroups were enrolled: 8 to 14 years, 15 to 24 years, and 25 or older. Patients used either insulin pumps or multiple daily insulin injections and were instructed on adjusting insulin doses according to monitoring results.

Among patients who were 25 or older, mean HbA_1c concentration decreased by a mean of 0.5 percentage points at 26 weeks in…