Stepwise approach to continuous glucose monitoring interpretation for internists and family physicians

Abstract

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) use has expanded rapidly in recent years among people with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. In concert with the globally increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes, the majority of whom receive diabetes care from internists or family physicians rather than specialists, it is becoming increasingly incumbent upon physicians within internal medicine and family practice to interpret and utilize CGM data in real-world clinical practice. It is therefore of paramount importance that internists and family physicians have access to the tools which will enable them to (1) interpret CGM data, and (2) utilize CGM data to guide therapeutic modifications for their patients with type 2 diabetes. Given the limited amount of time available to internists and family physicians to address multiple complex topics in a typical office visit, a pragmatic, simple, and systematic approach to CGM interpretation is crucial. This article aims to provide internists and family physicians with a simplified and systematic approach to CGM interpretation that can be easily and efficiently implemented in a brief office visit.