Accuracy and feasibility of continuous glucose monitoring system in pancreatectomy patients

Purpose: Pancreatectomy patients often experience challenging fluctuations in blood glucose levels; therefore, they require a reliable monitoring system. This study aimed to determine the accuracy and acceptability of a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system compared with the intermittent capillary glucose test in patients who have undergone pancreatectomy.

Methods: Thirty non-diabetic pancreatectomy patients participated. We used the FreeStyle Libre Flash Glucose Monitoring System (Abbott Diabetes Care) for continuous interstitial glucose monitoring. Capillary reference glucose levels were checked four times daily. Accuracy was checked using the Clarke Error Grid.

Results: The mean age of the participants was 56.8 ± 12.0 years, of whom 61.3% underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy and 38.7% underwent distal pancreatectomy. Three patients developed pancreatogenic diabetes after pancreatectomy. The clinical accuracy of continuous glucose monitoring compared with capillary glucose was 43.9% in Zone A (clinically accurate zone) and 99.8% in Zone A + B (low risk of error) of the Clarke Error Grid. No device-related adverse events were reported. Patients rated favorable user acceptability on the questionnaire.

Conclusion: This pilot study demonstrated that the CGM device is accurate and safe for patients who underwent pancreatectomy, with favorable user acceptability. Despite these challenges, the study proposes that the CGM device is beneficial for monitoring glucose levels after discharge in patients with impaired glucose levels following pancreatectomy.