A clinical trial shows that adults with type 2 diabetes not using insulin spend five more hours daily in a healthy blood sugar range when using continuous glucose monitors.
Key facts
- •The study included 283 adults with type 2 diabetes who do not use insulin.
- •CGM users spent five more hours per day in their target blood sugar range.
- •The difference in A1c levels between the CGM and control groups was 0.9 percentage points.
- •The trial was conducted across 22 U.S. primary care practices over 26 weeks.
- •An estimated 20 million U.S. adults have type 2 diabetes and do not take insulin.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine indicates that continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) significantly improve blood sugar control for adults with type 2 diabetes who do not take insulin. Participants using the devices spent approximately five additional hours each day within their target blood sugar range compared to those receiving routine care. The findings represent the first large-scale, multicenter randomized controlled trial focused on this specific patient population.
By the numbers
Clinical Trial Results
The study followed 283 adults across 22 primary care practices in the United States over a 26-week period. Researchers observed that nearly twice as many CGM users achieved an A1c level below 7% compared to the control group. Furthermore, CGM users showed a 0.9 percentage point improvement in A1c levels, a measure of average blood sugar over three months, which researchers noted exceeds the threshold for clinical significance.
Impact on Diabetes Care
CGMs utilize a small sensor worn on the body to provide real-time tracking of glucose levels. This data allows patients to observe how food, physical activity, and daily habits influence their blood sugar, facilitating more informed management decisions. Because most Americans with type 2 diabetes are treated in primary care settings, the study's focus on these practices makes the results highly applicable to standard clinical care.
Future Implications for Guidelines
Current American Diabetes Association standards provide Level A evidence for CGM use in insulin-treated patients, but only Level C evidence for those not using insulin. Researchers hope these new findings will strengthen national care guidelines and encourage expanded insurance coverage. The study authors recommend that patients who do not take insulin discuss the potential use of CGMs with their primary care providers.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Medical Xpress.
