The UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has evaluated the Dexcom 6 real-time continuous glucose monitoring system.
The innovative aspects are that the Dexcom G6 continuously measures glucose levels using a sensor inserted under the skin instead of routine fingerprick blood glucose testing. Glucose measurements can be shared remotely with carers and family members through the connected app. Alerts sound if glucose levels fall outside a target range.
The intended place in therapy is as an alternative to routine blood glucose monitoring in people (over 2 years old), including pregnant women, with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, who use multiple daily insulin injections or use insulin pumps and are self-managing their diabetes.
The NICE report summarised a number of trials and comments from medical professionals and Diabetes UK. They suggest that using the Dexcom G6 reduces the time spent in hypoglycaemia compared with self-monitoring of blood glucose using finger-prick testing.
Advocacy Action: Are continuous glucose monitors freely or cheaply available in your country? Can you challenge if they are not citing Nice and other expert evidence of their efficacy for type 1 patients in particular?