The impact of continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) for diabetes management is a hot topic today and rapidly growing in popularity. Each new study reveals the benefits of CGM use – which is an exciting sign for endocrinologists and their care teams that are already familiar with these devices. At the same time, most endocrinology practices today haven’t been able to fully unlock the full potential of continuous glucose monitoring.
There’s much more that diabetes care teams can do beyond prescribing a CGM and checking device data a few times a year at a patient’s in-person visits. With the continuous data stream that CGMs provide, practices have access to patient data in real time – and can intervene even in between appointments if clinically. By regularly reviewing glucose data, providers can both improve patient engagement and clinical outcomes.
Below, we’ll dive into the unique benefits of regular CGM monitoring for people with different types of diabetes.
Type 1 Diabetes
Perhaps the type of diabetes most often associated with diabetes technology, type 1 diabetes has been well studied when it comes to CGM use and remote monitoring.
One reason to include remote monitoring in type 1 diabetes care is that it has been proven to prevent highs and lows. The regular analysis of data and remote follow-up can improve glucose variability.1
It makes sense. Diabetes technologies including CGM and remote monitoring help to increase patient knowledge and awareness, which increases confidence and eases the all-too-common fear of hypoglycemia.2 That means people with type 1 diabetes can tighten control while reducing emergencies by early detection of glucose excursions and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).3
Type 2 Diabetes
In patients with type 2 diabetes, lifestyle interventions and behavior modification are most successful long-term when there is regular support and feedback.
This benefits all type 2 diabetes patients, regardless of their treatment plan. For insulin users and those relying on lifestyle changes or oral meds, enhanced access to support through remote monitoring and added touchpoints with their diabetes care teams can significantly improve HbA1c levels.4 Comprehensive care including CGM use and remote monitoring has also been shown to improve time in range (TIR) and glucose variability.5
Gestational Diabetes
Imagine not having to squeeze a gestational diabetes patient in for additional office visits for blood sugar management! Supplementing in-person visits with remote monitoring for diabetes in pregnancy can be more convenient for the patient and lead to better maternal and neonatal outcomes.
People with gestational diabetes offered enhanced support via regular data reviews and timely interventions are found to share more blood glucose data with the overseeing provider, improve glucose levels, and reach target faster than those who don’t participate in remote monitoring.6 Additionally, without increasing in-person visits, remote and regular monitoring can lead to lower rates of preeclampsia and neonatal hypoglycemia.
Pediatric Diabetes
Managing pediatric diabetes requires more than just access to data. Pediatric patients thrive with consistent support, encouragement, and oversight. Simplifying care for families managing diabetes in children and providing regular and remote monitoring can alleviate the fear of hypoglycemia, improve quality of life, and positively impact clinical metrics like HbA1c.7
Continuous tracking of real-time data can also inform treatment decisions. Regular access to glucose levels takes the guesswork out of insulin adjustments. Aside from properly managing glucose levels to support growth and development, remote monitoring of CGMs can promote better patient engagement and offer valuable peace of mind.8
Older Adults
In the older population, the focus often shifts from tight control to hypoglycemia prevention. When you prevent dangerous lows, you can reduce the risk of falls and subsequent hospitalization. However, when targets are relaxed, patients can end up with blood sugars that are too high, which can increase the risk of dementia or diabetes complications.
Another barrier to adequate care in aging patients with diabetes is difficulty maintaining regular appointments. Issues like lack of transportation may make access to care more challenging.
Diabetes technology may help strike the necessary balance. Multiple studies have shown that remote monitoring and regular reviews of glucose data can improve TIR without increasing the risk of dangerous lows.9
Remote CGM monitoring paired with regular data reviews and interventions (when clinically necessary) offers significant benefits for people with all types of diabetes, but it requires the right infrastructure to be effective. SweetSpot removes all the barriers to implementing a strong remote CGM monitoring program, working alongside endocrinology practices to support more regular reviews of CGM and/or insulin pump data and adjust treatment plans throughout the year. Learn more by emailing SweetSpot at info@sweetspot.health.
SweetSpot is hosting a free webinar this month on best practices for implementing a remote monitoring program for CGMs at your practice. Register here to join live or access the recording after the event. References:
Udsen FW, Hangaard S, Bender C, et al. The Effectiveness of Telemedicine Solutions in Type 1 Diabetes Management: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2023;17(3):782-793. doi:10.1177/19322968221076874
Marker AM, Monzon AD, Nelson EL, Clements MA, Patton SR. An Intervention to Reduce Hypoglycemia Fear in Parents of Young Kids with Type 1 Diabetes Through Video-Based Telemedicine (REDCHiP): Trial Design, Feasibility, and Acceptability. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2020;22(1):25-33. doi:10.1089/dia.2019.0244
Peters AL, Garg SK. The Silver Lining to COVID-19: Avoiding Diabetic Ketoacidosis Admissions with Telehealth. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2020;22(6):449-453. doi:10.1089/dia.2020.0187
Lee PA, Greenfield G, Pappas Y. The impact of telehealth remote patient monitoring on glycemic control in type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of systematic reviews of randomised controlled trials. BMC Health Serv Res. 2018;18(1):495. Published 2018 Jun 26. doi:10.1186/s12913-018-3274-8
Aleppo G, Gal RL, Raghinaru D, et al. Comprehensive Telehealth Model to Support Diabetes Self-Management. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(10):e2336876. Published 2023 Oct 2. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.36876
Kantorowska A, Cohen K, Oberlander M, et al. Remote patient monitoring for management of diabetes mellitus in pregnancy is associated with improved maternal and neonatal outcomes. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2023;228(6):726.e1-726.e11. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2023.02.015
Zhang K, Huang Q, Wang Q, et al. Telemedicine in Improving Glycemic Control Among Children and Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Med Internet Res. 2024;26:e51538. Published 2024 Jul 9. doi:10.2196/51538
Esposito S, Sambati V, Fogliazza F, Street ME, Principi N. The impact of telemedicine on pediatric type 1 diabetes management: benefits, challenges, and future directions. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2024;15:1513166. Published 2024 Dec 20. doi:10.3389/fendo.2024.1513166
Toschi E, Adam A, Frimpong N, et al. Hybrid care model: Combining telemedicine and office visits for diabetes management in older adults with type 1 diabetes. Med Res Arch. 2024;12(9):5728. doi:10.18103/mra.v12i9.5728
SweetSpot is a remote diabetes management platform that supports all major diabetes devices and insulin delivery systems to provide physicians with a single view of their patients’ data. SweetSpot's intelligent algorithm identifies the most optimal CPT codes for both remote and in-person diabetes management, and a dedicated team of Certified Diabetes Care & Education Specialists provide ongoing support.
As a company founded and powered by physicians and diabetes care providers, we place a strong emphasis on ensuring that there are no obstacles to getting started with SweetSpot. That’s why SweetSpot is easy to set up and designed to seamlessly integrate into your existing workflows and comes with no setup costs or subscription fees.
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