ESPE Abstracts

Background: The flash glucose monitoring system (FGMS) has been a great advance in quality of life for patients diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D). However, it is a more expensive method.

Objectives: To describe the characteristics of the pediatric population (<18 years) diagnosed with T1D using FGMS, during one year in our community. To assess the degree of satisfaction and possible inconveniences. To evaluate the economic cost compared with test strips.

Methods: Medical records retrospective study between 01-02-2018 and 31-01-2019. Statistical analysis with SPSS v.24

Results: The number of patients under 18 years who were followed up by T1D was 127 (63 male and 64 female). Four were excluded due to the use of other CGMS, all under 5 years old. Other 18 patients (10 male and 8 female), because they preferred traditional method of monitoring by test strips: 16 for esthetic reasons, 1 because of break away and another for contact reaction to the adhesive. Therefore, the sample consisted of 105 patients using FGMS: 26 of them, from the moment of diagnosis. The mean age at the moment of study was 12.5 ±3.9 years: <5 years 4.7%(5), 5-11 years 35.3%(37) and 12-18 years 60%(63). The time of evolution of T1D was 4.8 ±3.6 years. The mean age at the beginning of FGMS was 11.3 ±3.9 years. At the time of the start of financing by the public health system, 37.1%(39) already used this system through self-financing. Of the sample analyzed, only 19.1%(20) performed frequent capillary glycemia (confirmation hypo / hyperglycemia) and 24.8%(26) never did. Confirmation of hypoglycemia: 28.6%(30) frequently and 20%(21) never. Insulin records: 50.5%(53) frequently and 1%(1) never. Degree of satisfaction: high in 86.6%(91). A 86.6% majority did not present any problems, 11.4%(12) break away and 2%(2) contact dermatitis. No serious adverse event attributable to the use of this technology was recorded. The economic cost during the period was about 133.685,55 euros (105 patients with flash system and 18 traditional system). Assuming an mean use of 6 test strips per day, with capillary glycemia, the expense would have corresponded approximately to 44.446.05 euros.

Discussion: Although the systematic use of FGMS implies a significant increase in public spending, the high degree of satisfaction with few problems would justify its financing.