Novel Glucose Monitor Helps Avoid Hypoglycemia in Adults with Well-Controlled Type 1 Diabetes

Continuous glucose monitors and insulin pumps help optimize glycemic control and prevent hypoglycemic events in patients with type 1 diabetes, but current continuous glucose monitors require frequent sensor changes and calibration. A new “flash” glucose monitor, worn on the back of the upper arm, uses a sensor that lasts for 14 days, does not require home calibration, and captures glucose readings every 15 minutes. A “reader” waved over the sensor receives and displays recent data and stores it for up to 90 days. In a manufacturer-sponsored study, investigators in Europe randomized 241 adults with well-controlled type 1 diabetes (glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA_1c], <7.5%) to use the flash system or to self-monitor with conventional capillary s…