Use of CGM in type 1 diabetes patients may lower odds of developing retinopathy: Study
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a serious complication of type 1 diabetes (T1D) that can lead to vision impairment or blindness if left untreated. Understanding the impact of diabetes management technologies, such as continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and insulin pumps, on DR outcomes is crucial for improving patient care and outcomes. The use of CGM and insulin pumps has revolutionized diabetes management by providing real-time glucose data and precise insulin delivery.
A recent retrospective cohort study aimed to evaluate the association between CGM, insulin pump use, or both, and the development of DR and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) in adults with T1D. This study was published in JAMA Network Open by T. Y. Alvin and colleagues.
The study included 550 adults with T1D from a tertiary diabetes center and ophthalmology center. Data were analyzed retrospectively from 2013 to 2021. Participants were categorized based on their use of diabetes technologies, including CGM, insulin pump, or both.
Key Findings:
• 62.7% of patients used CGM, 58.2% used an insulin pump, and 47.5% used both.
• 44% of participants had DR at any point during the study.
• CGM use was associated with lower odds of developing DR and PDR.
• In the longitudinal analysis, 21.8% of patients experienced progression of DR during the study period.
The study suggests that CGM use is associated with a reduced risk of developing DR and PDR in adults with T1D, even after adjusting for other factors like hemoglobin A1c levels. These findings underscore the potential benefits of CGM in diabetes management for mitigating the risk of DR and PDR. Early adoption and utilization of CGM technology may play a crucial role in preventing diabetic eye complications and improving long-term visual outcomes in individuals with T1D.
Reference:
Liu, T. Y. A., Shpigel, J., Khan, F., Smith, K., Prichett, L., Channa, R., Kanbour, S., Jones, M., Abusamaan, M. S., Sidhaye, A., Mathioudakis, N., & Wolf, R. M. Use of diabetes technologies and retinopathy in adults with type 1 diabetes. JAMA Network Open,2024;7(3):e240728. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.0728
