This research offers hope for adults living with type 2 diabetes who manage their condition with basal insulin and modern medications. Many people struggle to keep their blood sugar levels in a healthy range despite taking their medicines correctly. This study looked at whether a specific technology could help. It compared a new way of tracking glucose against the traditional method most people use today.
The researchers worked with 303 adults across 24 care centers in the UK. Participants were already using basal insulin along with SGLT2 inhibitors, GLP-1 receptor agonists, or dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonists. They were randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group used real-time continuous glucose monitoring, often called CGM. This device tracks blood sugar levels constantly and sends data to a receiver. The other group continued with self-monitoring of blood glucose, or SMBG. This involves using a finger-prick test to check levels at specific times.
The main goal was to see how blood sugar levels changed over time. The primary measure was hemoglobin A1c, which reflects average blood sugar over about three months. At 16 weeks, the group using CGM had an average A1c of 8.0 percent. The control group had an average of 8.7 percent. By 32 weeks, the difference grew. The CGM group averaged 7.8 percent, while the control group averaged 8.3 percent. These numbers show a clear improvement in the group using the continuous monitoring device.
Safety was also checked during the study. The rate of non-device-related side effects was similar in both groups. However, two cases of severe low blood sugar occurred in the control group. The study had some limitations. It was an open-label design, meaning participants and staff knew which group they were in. This could have influenced the results slightly. The study was funded by Abbott Diabetes Care.
This trial suggests that real-time CGM can improve blood sugar control for adults with type 2 diabetes who use basal insulin and modern therapies. It supports the use of this technology under clinician-supported management. Patients should discuss these options with their healthcare team to see if it fits their specific needs and lifestyle.