Journal of Korean Diabetes  2020;21(4):184-190

doi:10.4093/jkd.2020.21.4.184

Use of Flash Glucose Monitoring in Patients on Intensive Insulin Treatment

Jun Sung MOON 1

Affiliations

+expand

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

Abstract

Glucose monitoring is the key component for successful management of patients with diabetes. Though glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and self-monitoring of blood glucose by finger pricking are effective methods for assessing glucose exposure, they provide limited information about glycemic variability. Flash glucose monitoring (FGM) is a factory-calibrated, sensor-based technology worn on the body as a small-sized patch that has a lifetime up to 14 days. On-demand sensor scanning provides patients with comprehensive glucose data, including current glucose level, which is updated every minute, historical glucose readings from the last 8 hours, and trend arrows. Also, ambulatory glucose profiles can be shared with the physician and caregivers. Early clinical studies demonstrated relevant benefits of FGM in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes in terms of fewer hypoglycemic episodes but did not differ in metrics of glycemic control such as HbA1c or time-in-range. Another study highlighted the importance of intensive and structured patient education for maximizing the benefits of FGM use. These results suggest that proper FGM use improves the quality of life as well as glycemic control in patients on intensive insulin treatment.