Diabetes management has come a long way from the days of just checking blood glucose levels a few times a day. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices provide around-the-clock monitoring of glucose levels, giving people with diabetes unprecedented insight into how different foods, activities, and medications impact their levels over time.
What is Continuous Glucose Monitoring?
Continuous glucose monitoring systems work by inserting a tiny sensor just under the skin, usually on the abdomen or upper arm. This sensor measures glucose levels in interstitial fluid, just below the skin’s surface, every 5 minutes. The results are wirelessly transmitted to a handheld monitor or smart device. Patients can then monitor trends and patterns to see how their glucose is rising and falling throughout the day and night.
Some key advantages of CGMs over traditional blood glucose meters include:
– Near Real-Time Data: Continuous Glucose Monitoring Devices provide glucose readings every 5 minutes, compared to the few discrete readings per day from fingersticks. This allows patients to continually monitor changes.
– Trend Arrows: The devices also display trend arrows showing if glucose levels are rising, falling, or stable—helping patients better anticipate lows or highs.
– Alarm Functions: Most CGMs can be programmed to alert users when glucose levels pass certain thresholds, such as when they fall below 70 mg/dL during the night. This improves safety.
– Nighttime Monitoring: Regular meters require waking up to check levels overnight. CGMs provide peace of mind by continuously watching glucose levels while sleeping.
The Technology Behind Continuous Glucose Sensors
Under the skin, the tiny CGM sensors have two electrodes—one detects the amount of glucose and the other acts as a reference point. Their difference in electrical current correlates to the surrounding interstitial glucose concentration. The sensor transmits this data every 5 minutes to the handheld receiver or connected smart device for display.
Sensors must be inserted manually using an applicator similar to an insulin pen. They are factory calibrated and do not require individual calibration, only confirmation with occasional fingerstick readings. Most last around 7-10 days before needing replacement. Advances in polymer and hydrogel material science have allowed the sensors to remain functional and stable for longer periods under the skin.
The Top Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems
Currently, the main systems approved by the FDA for up to 6 months of use include:
– Dexcom G6: Considered the “gold standard” by many due to its accuracy and user-friendliness. It features alarms, trends, sharing to smartphone.
– Medtronic Guardian Connect: One of the early pioneers of CGM technology. Features automatic calibration and integration with Medtronic insulin pumps.
– FreeStyle Libre: A popular non-invasive option that reads glucose through a skin sensor tapped with a reader device. Comparatively lower costs but lacks alarms.
Research into Next-Gen Technology
Scientists continue refining CGM systems to push the limits of accuracy, duration, and convenience. Areas of active research include:
– Longer Sensor Lifespans: Working on making sensors last 90+ days with stable accuracy would cut down on changes needed.
– Minimally or Non-Invasive Sensors: Some prototypes aim to read glucose from tears, breath, or through the skin without insertion.
– Artificial Pancreas Systems: Combining real-time CGM data with automatic insulin delivery via pump can help achieve safer tight glycemic control. Clinical trials underway.
The Benefits of Continuous Monitoring
Numerous clinical studies have demonstrated the many advantages CGMs provide over traditional fingerstick meters:
– Improved Glycemic Control: With insights into trends and timing of events, patients are empowering to make adjustments to improve their A1c and time spent in target glucose range.
– Reduced Hypoglycemia: Alarms help address lows earlier, minimizing dangerous incidents. Symptom unawareness is less common with CGM use.
– Improved Quality of Life: Patients report less distress over unpredictable glucose fluctuations and greater peace of mind when sleeping or exercising.
– Cost Savings: Fewer hypoglycemic hospitalizations and emergency visits translate to reduced overall healthcare expenditures in the long run.
As devices continue progressing, adoption rates are also rising. It’s estimated over one million patients worldwide now rely on continuous monitoring to gain precision control over their diabetes. For those able to access the technology, it offers unparalleled insights to take management to the next level.
*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
