The landmark JDRF continuous glucose monitoring randomized trials: a look back at the accumulated evidence

J Cardiovasc Transl Res. 2012 Aug;5(4):380-7. doi: 10.1007/s12265-012-9364-9. Epub 2012 Apr 27.

Abstract

Despite improvements for management of type 1 diabetes (T1D), patients have difficulty achieving glycated hemoglobin (A1c) levels recommended by the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT). Two multicenter randomized trials were conducted to evaluate benefit of using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) with standard glucose monitoring for T1D management. The primary study evaluated benefits of CGM in 322 patients with A1c >7.0%. The secondary study evaluated 129 patients with A1c <7.0%. In the primary study, CGM resulted in improvements in A1c at 6 m in subjects >25 years, but not those <25. However, all subjects using CGM regularly showed benefit. Improved A1c did not come with increased severe hypoglycemia as seen in the DCCT, and benefit was sustained over 1 year. In the secondary study, CGM use helped subjects maintain target A1c levels with reduced exposure to biochemical hypoglycemia. The data collected allowed for other analyses of important factors in T1D management.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Blood Glucose / drug effects*
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring* / instrumentation
  • Child
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / blood
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / diagnosis*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / drug therapy*
  • Equipment Design
  • Evidence-Based Medicine
  • Glycated Hemoglobin / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemia / blood
  • Hypoglycemia / chemically induced
  • Hypoglycemia / prevention & control
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / adverse effects
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Multicenter Studies as Topic*
  • Patient Satisfaction
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic*
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • United States
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Blood Glucose
  • Glycated Hemoglobin A
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • hemoglobin A1c protein, human