Real-Time Continuous Glucose Monitoring for People Living With Type 1 Diabetes

Key Messages

• Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is a method of glucose testing in which a sensor is inserted into the skin and continuously monitors interstitial glucose concentrations. Real-time continuous glucose monitoring (rtCGM) systems automatically measure glucose and display a recent glucose value.
• Evidence suggests that rtCGM may improve hemoglobin A1C and time in range in adults and pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes, but this is uncertain.
• Limited evidence suggests that in people with type 1 diabetes, there is little to no difference between rtCGM and self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) on quality of life, diabetic ketoacidosis, and severe adverse events.
• Safety evidence suggests that rtCGM may decrease severe hypoglycemia in adults and pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes, but this is uncertain.
• rtCGM may be more cost-effective in the long term than SMBG in adults with type 1 diabetes.