China: Flash glucose monitoring (FGM) is an effective strategy for keeping track of blood sugar levels in diabetes patients, a recent study in the Journal of Diabetes and its Complications has revealed.
The study showed that flash glucose monitoring is better than self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) in improving glycated hemoglobin levels, fasting plasma glucose levels, and 2-h postprandial glucose level; and decreases the number of hypoglycemic events.
FGM was introduced in the international market in 2014; since its introduction, academics globally are exploring its relevance for improving glycemic control in diabetics. It uses a sensor placed on the back of the upper arm, and the user wears it externally; this allows monitoring of glucose information through a mobile app.
Min Zhou, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi, China, and colleagues conducted the study to examine the effect of FGM on glycemic control among patients with diabetes mellitus.
For this purpose, the researchers searched online databases to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) related to the effect of FGM on blood sugar control in diabetes patients. Outcomes were hypoglycemic events, glycated hemoglobin, 2-h postprandial glucose (2hPG) levels, and fasting plasma glucose (FPG).
A total of 19 studies of 2013 participants were included, all of which were randomized controlled trials.
The study led to the following findings:
The findings suggest FGM is an effective strategy for monitoring glucose levels in patients with diabetes mellitus. FGM to improve glycated hemoglobin levels was more effective in patients with type 2 diabetes ≤65 years of age. Also, FGM use reduced the number of hypoglycemic events.
“Comparing SMBG with FGM suggests that FGM improves 2-h postprandial glucose levels, fasting plasma glucose levels, and glycated hemoglobin levels, and reduces the number of hypoglycemic events,” the researchers wrote in their conclusion.
Reference:
Gao, Yuan, et al. “Effects of Flash Glucose Monitoring On Glycemic Control in Participants With Diabetes Mellitus: a Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.” Journal of Diabetes and Its Complications, vol. 36, no. 11, 2022, p. 108314.
Medha Baranwal joined Medical Dialogues as an Editor in 2018 for Speciality Medical Dialogues. She covers several medical specialties including Cardiac Sciences, Dentistry, Diabetes and Endo, Diagnostics, ENT, Gastroenterology, Neurosciences, and Radiology. She has completed her Bachelors in Biomedical Sciences from DU and then pursued Masters in Biotechnology from Amity University. She has a working experience of 5 years in the field of medical research writing, scientific writing, content writing, and content management. She can be contacted at editorial@medicaldialogues.in. Contact no. 011-43720751
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