Impact of the FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system on diabetes- self-management practices and glycemic control among patients with type 2 diabetes in Saudi Arabia: A prospective study

Abstract

Background and aimsTo examine the efficacy of FreeStyle Libre Flash Glucose Monitoring System (FGMS) on Diabetes Self-Management Practices (DSMP) and glycemic control among patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). MethodsThis prospective study was conducted among 105 patients with T2D (aged 30–70 years), who self-tested their glucose levels by conventional finger-prick method using blood glucose meters (BGM). At baseline visit, FGMS sensors were fixed by a diabetes educator to all patients. At the baseline and at 12 weeks of the study, an interviewer collected the responses of Diabetes Self-Management (DSM) from all the study population using a questionnaire. ResultsAt 12 weeks, significant improvements in the DSM subscales were observed, which includes glucose management (P = 0.042), dietary control (P = 0.048), physical activity (P = 0.043), health care use (P = 0.001) and self-care (P = 0.001), compared to the values at baseline. At baseline, when the HbA1c level was 8.2%, at 12 weeks, it dropped to 7.9%. Also, at baseline, when the hypoglycemia frequency was 3.1, it declined to 1.2 episodes/month at 12 weeks. While comparing the blood glucose monitoring through BGM at the baseline (1.92/day), a higher degree of frequency of blood glucose monitoring was evident at 12 weeks (6.84/day), after the patients employed the FreeStyle Libre. ConclusionAfter 12 weeks of using the FreeStyle Libre, the frequency of hypoglycemic episodes and the HbA1c levels were dropped, while the practice of DSM and frequency of blood glucose monitoring were improved.