Meta-analysis of average change in laboratory-measured HbA1c among people with type 1 diabetes mellitus using the 14 day Flash Glucose Monitoring System
Ian Gordon, Carolyn Rutherford, Kelly Makarounas‐Kirchmann, Matt Kirchmann
Abstract
AIM: FreeStyle Libre™ Flash Glucose Monitoring System (Flash GM), a novel, sensor-based, factory-calibrated system has been compared with self-monitoring of blood glucose in a well-controlled adult type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) population (HbA1c ≤ 7.5%, 58 mmol/mol), in a randomized controlled trial (RCT). The need for RCTs to recruit homogenous patients and for a well-controlled environment may not necessarily reflect use of a new technology in real clinical practice. METHODS: A random effects meta-analysis of all identified studies in T1D was performed to investigate changes in laboratory-measured HbA1c following introduction of Flash GM. RESULTS: values > 85%), likely due to the inclusion of diverse populations and variations in study protocols, meaning random effects meta-analyses should be strongly preferred. CONCLUSIONS: In people with T1D, use of Flash GM for 2 to 24 months was associated with an estimated HbA1c reduction from baseline of 0.4%. A similar reduction occurred in uncontrolled studies where baseline HbA1c was generally higher compared with Flash GM arms of well-controlled studies.