CGM’s – Research and alternatives

There is a growing body of evidence about the usefulness of CGM in glucose control. The CGM resource center website has a useful library listing key studies on CGMS. (You need to register on the site to get access). Relevant studies include:

Continuous Glucose Monitoring: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline David C. Klonoff, Bruce Buckingham, Jens S. Christiansen, Victor M. Montori, William V. Tamborlane, Robert A. Vigersky and Howard Wolpert The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism October 1, 2011 vol. 96 no. 10 2968-2979

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Continuous Glucose Monitoring Study Group. The effect of continuous glucose monitoring in well-controlled type 1 diabetes. Diabetes Care 2009;32(8):1378-1383.

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Continuous Glucose Monitoring Study Group. Factors predictive of use and of benefit from continuous glucose monitoring in type 1 diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2009; 32(11):1947-1953. Factors predictive of use and of benefit from continuous glucose monitoring in type 1 diabetes

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Continuous Glucose Monitoring Study Group. Sustained benefit of continuous glucose monitoring on A1C, glucose profiles, and hypoglycemia in adults with type 1 diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2009; 32(11):2047-2049.

Bergenstal, RM; Tamorlane, WV; Ahmann, A, et al. Effectiveness of Sensor-Augmented Insulin Pump Therapy in Type 1 Diabetes. New England Journal of Medicine. June 29, 2010.

O’Connell, MA; Donath, S; O’Neal, DN; et al. Glycemic impact of patient-led use of sensor-guided pump therapy in type 1 diabetes: a randomized controlled trial. Diabetologia. 2009;52(7):1250-1257.

In addition to the existing CGM systems described here, alternative approaches are being researched and developed but are not yet available.

Bio implants
These are glucose sensing devices that require minor surgery to be implanted under the skin for one to 3 years.

Non-invasive techniques
A number of technologies that do not require the skin to be punctured are being investigated these include infrared, ultrasound and di electric spectroscopy.