Intermittently Scanned Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes in the United Arab Emirates: A Retrospective Analysis

Abstract

Objective: This retrospective observational study aimed to determine the effectiveness of six weeks to six months of intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring (isCGM) use on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Materials and methods: The study involved isCGM users with T2D from two centers in the UAE: University Hospital Sharjah and Dubai Hospital. The medical records of isCGM users were randomly collected and reviewed for eligibility. Patients aged ≥ 18 years, diagnosed with T2D, with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥ 7%, who had used FreeStyle Libre for ≥ 6 weeks, with available HbA1c measurements within the three months prior to initiating FreeStyle Libre, and within the six months following FreeStyle Libre initiation were included. Patients aged < 18 years, diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, pregnant females, and those on dialysis were excluded. Results: A total of 107 medical records were included from the two centers: 49 from University Hospital Sharjah and 58 from Dubai Hospital. The mean (standard deviation [SD]) age of participants was 63 (15) years. Mean (SD) HbA1c prior to isCGM use was 9.14% (1.63%), which reduced to 8.15% (1.42%) after isCGM initiation (p < 0.001), a mean (SD) change of 0.99% (1.80%). A medium-level negative correlation (r = –0.21; p < 0.05) was seen between age and HbA1c reduction. Conclusions: This study demonstrated a significant reduction in HbA1c levels with isCGM use among patients with T2D who were using a range of antidiabetic treatments.