Background: Retrospective continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) studies may provide healthcare professionals (HCPs) with better understanding of glycemic patterns in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and thereby support patient education and appropriate therapeutic interventions.
Methods: Adults with T2D and A1C values between 8% and 10% were eligible for this 3-month study. Patients were scheduled for 5 visits that included baseline and a month-2 retrospective CGM study (iPro2, Medtronic) followed by data review and therapy modifications. A1C values were determined at baseline and at study end. Questionnaires were completed at each visit. HCP questionnaires assessed perception of the utility of studies; patient questionnaires assessed understanding of the importance of compliance with HCP recommendations. Indices of glycemic variability and control were calculated from CGM data retrospectively.
Results: A total of 181 subjects enrolled and 148 completed the study (81.8%). There were no serious adverse device effects. Most subjects (91.2%) had > 1 therapy change after review of the first iPro2 test. Mean A1C decreased from 8.6% at baseline to 8.0% at month 3 (p<0.001). Questionnaire results from patients and HCPs indicated that both groups viewed the iPro2 studies and results as acceptable and useful. CGM-based glycemic variability metrics were similar in the two iPro2 tests.
Conclusions: iPro2 studies provided HCPs with insights and opportunities for initiating changes to treatment regimens and to diet and exercise behaviors, and provided patients with improved knowledge of the importance of therapy compliance. Favorable reductions in A1C suggest that iPro2 tests can facilitate optimal management of T2D.