Roadmap to the Effective Use of Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Primary Care

Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Primary Care: Multidisciplinary Pilot Implementation Study

Background

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is used to assess glycemic trends and guide therapeutic changes for people with diabetes. We aimed to increase patient access to this tool by equipping primary care physicians (PCPs) to accurately interpret and integrate CGM into their practice via a multidisciplinary team approach.

Objective

The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of integrating CGM into primary care clinics using a multidisciplinary approach that included a clinical pharmacist (PharmD) and a certified diabetes care and education specialist (CDCES).

Methods

Eighteen PCPs received a 1-hour video training module from an endocrinologist teaching a systematic stepwise approach to CGM interpretation. Patient inclusion criteria included type 2 diabetes mellitus, ≥18 years old, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) ≥8% or concern for hypoglycemia, and no previous CGM use or an endocrinology visit in the past year. Patients saw physician extenders (CDCES or a PharmD) for professional CGM placement and education on nutrition, medication administration, and physical activity goals based on the PCP's recommendations. The CDCES or PharmD reviewed CGM data with patients and collaborated with PCPs to adjust the care plan, informed by the systematic stepwise approach to CGM interpretation. Patients either converted to personal CGM if desired or had a second professional CGM device placed after ≥1 month from the initial professional CGM placement and obtained a postintervention HbA1c measurement at ≥3 months from the initial HbA1c measurement. The primary outcomes were time in range, HbA1c, and average time from referral to the first CGM device placement. Follow-up continued with the CDCES or PharmD until patients met the study discharge criteria of HbA1c level ≤7%. Paired t tests with 1-sided P values were used to assess changes in glucose metrics from the initial to postintervention measurements. The McNemar test was used to determine the significance of change in patients meeting the goal of ≥70% time in the target range of 70-180 mg/dL.

Results

The CGM users (n=46) had a mean (SD) age of 62.39 (14.57) years, and 14/46 participants (30%) were female. The mean (SD) time in range increased by 28.06%, from 43.25% (33.41%) at baseline to 71.31% (25.49%) postintervention (P<.001), due to reduced hyperglycemia. The proportion of CGM users meeting the consensus target of the time in range ≥70% increased from 23.81% to 57.14% (P<.001). Postintervention HbA1c decreased by an average of 2.37%, from 9.68% (1.78%) to 7.31% (1.32%; P<.001).

Conclusions

The integration of CGM into primary care clinics to increase patient access is feasible and effective using a multidisciplinary approach.

Continuous glucose monitoring guides glucagon-like peptide 1-based therapy use and optimization in people with type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a large and growing epidemic. Importantly, new technologies and pharmaceutical options are improving the management of T2D. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems have advanced glucose-sensing technology, which has made it easier for users to monitor their glucose levels. Glucagon-like peptide 1-based therapies and dual agonists have similarly revolutionized the treatment of T2D. In this article, we present four cases of individuals with T2D who, in collaboration with their healthcare provider, used the data from their CGM systems to inform therapy changes, including the initiation and titration of glucagon-like peptide 1-based therapies. Combined use of CGM systems and glucagon-like peptide 1-based therapies could improve people's diabetes as well as their overall health.

The Effective Use by Primary Care Clinicians of a Comprehensive Computerized Insulin Dose Adjustment Algorithm

Primary care clinicians (PCCs) manage 90% of patients with diabetes, 30% of whom require insulin with a substantial number poorly controlled because of the challenges that PCCs face (time constraints and lack of experience). The author has developed Federal Drug Administration cleared and Conformite Europeenne mark registered comprehensive computerized insulin dose adjustment algorithms (CIDAAs) to enable PCCs to significantly lower HbA1c levels in insulin-requiring patients. Reports sent to PCCs contain scatter plots of glucose readings, their organization into pre- and postprandial and before bedtime values, their analyses, and recommendations for insulin dose adjustments (if indicated) that the PCC can accept or modify. The glucose readings are provided to the CIDAAs for analysis at either in-person visits or remotely. The new doses accepted by PCCs serve as the basis for the subsequent report. Published studies evaluating this comprehensive CIDAA involved 104 poorly controlled patients taking insulin for greater than or equal to six months who were independently managed by PCCs. Over four to six months, initial HbA1c levels of 9.7% fell by 1.7%. Combining these results with 138 other better controlled patients in real-world situations, initial measured and estimated HbA1c levels of 8.3% fell by 0.7% in 6.4 months enabling PCCs to significantly improve glycemic control. Other advantages of PCCs utilizing these comprehensive CIDAAs are saving time for PCCs so that they can address non-diabetes issues and/or see other patients and ongoing PCC education in adjusting insulin doses by matching glucose patterns and dose-change recommendations with subsequent glycemic responses.

The Dexcom Community Glucose Monitoring Project: 6-Month Results Using Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Type 2 Diabetes

The Dexcom Community Glucose Monitoring Project is a collaborative, ongoing, primary care-driven public health initiative designed to provide continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems to adults with type 2 diabetes who lack health insurance coverage for CGM. After 6 months of program participation, mean A1C decreased by 2.4 ± 1.9% from baseline to 6-month follow-up (from 9.4 ± 1.7 to 7.1 ± 1.2%, P <0.001). There was a clinically meaningful and statistically significant improvement in CGM metrics as well. Greater CGM use in the primary care setting among people with type 2 diabetes may help patients successfully manage their diabetes.

Roadmap to the Effective Use of Continuous Glucose Monitoring: Innovation, Investigation, and Implementation

For 25 years, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) has been evolving into what it is now: a key tool to both measure individuals' glycemic status and to help guide their day-to-day management of diabetes. Through a series of engineering innovations, clinical investigations, and efforts to optimize workflow implementation, the use of CGM is helping to transform diabetes care. This article presents a roadmap to the effective use of CGM that outlines past, present, and possible future advances in harnessing the potential of CGM to improve the lives of many people with diabetes, with an emphasis on ensuring that CGM technology is available to all who could benefit from its use.