Flash CGM associated with event reduction in nonintensive diabetes therapy

Study Design: This was a retrospective database analysis of the IBM MarketScan Commercial Claims and Medicare Supplemental databases that assessed rates of acute diabetes-related events (ADEs) and all-cause inpatient hospitalizations (ACHs) in a large population with T2D treated with basal insulin therapy or noninsulin medications. Am J Manag Care. 2021;27(11):e372-e377. https://doi.org/10.37765/ajmc.2021.88780 _____ Takeaway Points * Flash continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) use lowers glycated hemoglobin A1c and reduces the incidence and severity of hypoglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) treated with intensive insulin regimens; however, CGM use with basal insulin or noninsulin therapy has not previously been studied. * This retrospective cohort study utilized an analysis structure with prespecified outcomes to assess the effects of acquiring the flash CGM system within a large group of adults with T2D treated with basal insulin or noninsulin therapy. * Significant reductions in acute diabetes-related events and all-cause hospitalizations were observed in a cohort of 10,282 adults with T2D treated with basal or noninsulin therapy who used flash CGM for 6 months. * Use of flash CGM in patients with T2D treated with basal or noninsulin therapy improves clinical outcomes and potentially reduces health care resource utilization and associated costs. _____ The increasing costs of avoidable hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) utilizations resulting from diabetes-related adverse events are creating an unsustainable economic burden on private and public health insurers.1 In a recent study, the total cost of diagnosed diabetes in the United States in 2017 was estimated to be $327 billion.2 Data showed that approximately $90.1 billion was spent on diabetes-related inpatient hospitalizations ($69.7 billion), outpatient treatment ($12.1 billion), ED utilization ($8.0 billion), and ambulance services ($332.0 million) during 2017 in the United States.2 Numerous study findings have shown that use of flash continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is associated with improved glycemic control,3-7 reductions in hypoglycemia,3-5 fewer diabetes-related hospitalizations,3-5 decreased absenteeism,3,4 and improvements in treatment satisfaction3,8 in individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D). METHODS Study Design This retrospective cohort study utilized an analysis structure with prespecified outcomes to assess the effects of acquiring the flash CGM system within