ESPE Abstracts

Introduction: Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems(CGM), including real-time(rtCGM) or intermittently Ssanned CGM(isCGM, flash technology) are evolving technologies that can help both healthcare professionals and families to improve glycaemic control in children and adolescents with diabetes mellitus. The technology offers the possibility of monitoring glucose in real time or on demand through the interstitial fluid, contributing to the improvement of glycaemic control, reducing the incidence of hypo-/hyperglycaemia, and alleviating the anxiety and fear associated with both.

Aim: To record expectations by using CGM(rtCGM/isCGM) in a cohort of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Subjects and Methods: A questionnaire about the use of CGM(rtCGM or isCGM) was sent to 25patients with TID to record their expectations from its use.

Results: 25 questionnaires were completed by patients and their caregivers (56% girls). The mean age was 13 years, mean duration of diabetes 4.5years. 24 children/adolescents(92%) wore a CGM system, 10 iCGM (40%), 15 rtCGM (60%). 18 children/adolescents(60%) used an insulin pump, with a mean time of use of 2 years. 80% of patients preferred to place a CGM system to avoid finger pricks, felt safer in hyper-hypoglycaemia, reported improved quality of life. 96% reported an improvement in HBA1c levels, 75% said the sensor was more helpful in decision-making for calculating the correct mealtime insulin bolus, 60% for calculating basal insulin/basal bolus rate, 56% for making decisions about the insulin correction bolus. 60% of patients stated that using a sensor helped them make exercise insulin dose decisions. >52% of patients felt that wearing a CGM system made their favourite activities easier. 56% of respondents felt some discomfort when the sensor was noticed by others. Regarding the problems of the sensors, the majority stated that glucose measurements are often not downloaded, and there was mismatching with the capillary glucose measurements. When asked what features they felt were missing from the sensors used, most reported the high and low alarms, how to insert the sensor, and no need for calibrations.

Conclusions: An initial training is likely to ensure the maximum benefit of using a CGM system. Patients and caregivers should be committed to CGM education, practical aspects, evaluation and interpretation of results, day-to-day management based on CGM trends. The use of CGM has been shown to improve quality of life, reduce diabetes distress, and can help to improve the long-term complications of the disease.