Continuous Glucose Monitors Improve Blood Sugar in Type 2 Diabetes Patients
New research indicates continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) help type 2 diabetes patients not using insulin spend five additional hours daily within their target blood sugar range.
A new large-scale clinical trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine provides the strongest evidence to date that continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) can significantly improve blood sugar levels for adults with type 2 diabetes who do not use insulin.
The study found that adults using CGMs spent approximately five more hours per day within their target blood sugar range compared to those receiving routine care. Nearly twice as many CGM users also achieved an A1c level below 7%, a common treatment goal for individuals with diabetes.
CGMs utilize a small sensor worn on the body to continuously track glucose levels day and night. This allows patients to observe how their blood sugar responds to diet, exercise, and other daily activities. Researchers suggest these findings could help reshape treatment recommendations and expand insurance coverage for the technology.
The trial involved 283 adults across 22 U.S. primary care practices and followed them for 26 weeks. It is the first large-scale, multicenter randomized controlled trial to evaluate CGM effectiveness and safety in insulin-independent type 2 diabetes patients. The findings may significantly influence national guidelines and insurance coverage.