Continuous glucose monitoring

Abstract

Purpose of review: The purpose of this review is to summarize the current literature on continuous glucose monitors, focusing on devices that have been approved or are pending approval in the United States. Recent findings: Two continuous glucose sensors are currently available; one for retrospective analysis of glucose values while the other provides readings in real time. Both of these sensors have been thoroughly evaluated for accuracy using the traditional methods used to assess accuracy of home glucose meters. New measures are being developed to assess the accuracy of continuous glucose sensors in identifying glucose trends and predicting hypo and hyperglycemic events. Studies to assess the impact of these sensors on diabetes management have not shown a major benefit; however, most of these studies have only used the sensors for 4 to 20% of study days. Several new sensors may soon be available that provide glucose values in real time with alarms for hypo and hyperglycemia. These devices may potentially replace most discrete home blood glucose tests. Summary: Continuous glucose monitoring systems are currently less accurate than home glucose meters, but provide information every 5 to 10 minutes throughout the day and night with alarms for pending hyper and hypoglycemia. When sensors are worn almost continuously at home over extended periods of time, there will be a real possibility of making significant improvements in glycemic control. © 2005 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.