For people with type 1 diabetes, access to Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) technology, is considered a standard of care by most experts.

There is plenty of research that demonstrates CGM use is associated with not only improved A1c but significantly decreases time in hypoglycemic range and ketoacidosis rates.

Researchers wondered if this translates into cost savings?

YES.
According to a study presented at the Heart in Diabetes virtual meeting.

After three years of follow-up, the savings were substantial.

• Multiple daily injection plus CGM users saved between $5,777 and $8,549.
• CGM users with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion saved between $2,732 and $4,753 per person, compared with non-CGM users.

“In this study, we showed that it didn’t make any difference how you deliver insulin,” Grunberger said. “This difference is in how you monitor glucose.”

George Grunberger, MD, FACP, MACE, Chairman Grunberger Diabetes Institute and more

Glucose Crises are Expensive

According to Grunberger, the cost of diabetes ketoacidosis (DKA) in the U.S. is over 5 billion dollars a year.

Having a CGM reduces DKA rates, hospitalization, and leads to cost savings.

A study in the United Kingdom showed that for 900 people using the Freestyle Libre (Abbott), DKA episodes were reduced by 80% within six months of using this device.

A study in Belgium followed 1,913 people with type 1 diabetes using the Freestyle Libre CGM.

Not only did they see a dramatic reduction in hospitalizations from DKA and hypoglycemia, but the researchers also observed a fifty percent drop in work absenteeism.

The data shows CGM’s are associated with cost savings due to less diabetes emergencies and decreased work absenteeism.

Full Story: Healio (free registration)/Endocrine Today (8/31) 

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