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A retrospective claims analysis of 74,679 adults with T2D showed significant reductions in all-cause hospitalizations, acute diabetes-related hospitalizations, and acute diabetes-related emergency room visits associated with CGM use. These sizeable reductions in health care resource utilization were observed in patients treated with non-insulin therapy (NIT; -10.1%, -31.0%, -30.7%), basal insulin therapy (BIT; -13.9%, -47.6%, -28.2%), and prandial insulin therapy (PIT; -22.6%, -52.7%, -36.6%, respectively) across the 6 to 12 month post-index period. Mean HbA1c was likewise reduced across all treatment types at approximately 3 months and sustained throughout the post-index period (NIT, -1.1%; BIT, -1.1%; and PIT, -0.9%; P< 0.0001).Study authors noted that these findings support expanded coverage of CGM use for people with T2D regardless of treatment type to improve glycemic control and reduce hospitalizations and overall health care costs. Furthermore, the study suggests that managed care and payer decision makers can benefit from consideration of CGM use in patients with T2D who are often ineligible for coverage as a means of managing the total cost of care.

Garg SK, Hirsch IB, Repetto E, Snell-Bergeon J, Ulmer B, Perkins C, Bergenstal RM. Impact of continuous glucose monitoring on hospitalizations and glucose control in people with type 2 diabetes: real-world analysis. Diabetes Obes Metab. September 12, 2024. doi: 10.1111/dom.15866. Epub ahead of print.

Among 47 patients enrolled in a cardiovascular disease (CVD) outpatient program, CGM use was associated with improved glycemic and cardiometabolic outcomes. In the two-phase crossover study, participants were required to have T2D not treated with insulin therapy, an HbA1c >7%, and an obesity classification (BMI ≥30 kg/m2). Through 90 days of follow-up, CGM use was associated with a reduction in average glucose (184.0 to 147.2 mg/dL, P<0.001), an increase in time in range (57.8 to 82.8%, P<0.001), and a trend towards lower glycemic variability (26.2% to 23.8%). CGM users also experienced significant reductions in HbA1c, body mass index (BMI), triglycerides, blood pressure, total cholesterol, diabetes distress, and 10-year predicted risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (P<0.05 for all). These findings are pertinent to managed care and payer professionals seeking to better manage outcomes in T2D with comorbid CVD in health plan populations.

Reed J, Dong T, Eaton E, Friswold J, Porges J, Al-Kindi SG, Rajagopalan S, Neeland IJ. Continuous glucose monitoring for glycaemic control and cardiovascular risk reduction in patients with type 2 diabetes not on insulin therapy: A clinical trial. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2024 Apr 28. doi: 10.1111/dom.15608. Epub ahead of print.

In a real-word study analyzing 12 months of pre- and post-CGM-initiation US claims data, researchers found that CGM utilization was associated with lower hospital use and diabetes-related costs in intensive insulin-treated T2D. Among the 790 individuals who met the inclusion criteria, the number with ≥1 ED visit decreased by 30.0% (P=0.01) and with ≥1 inpatient visit decreased by 41.5% (P<0.0001). The number of diabetes-related visits and average number of visits per person likewise decreased by at least 31.4%. Total diabetes-related costs expressed as per-person-per-month (PPPM) also decreased by $341 PPPM. Managed care and payer professionals will find this analysis of interest in assessing the value of CGM as a cost-reduction intervention in the management of T2D among plan members.

Hannah KL, Nemlekar PM, Green CR, Norman GJ. Reduction in Diabetes-Related Hospitalizations and Medical Costs After Dexcom G6 Continuous Glucose Monitor Initiation in People with Type 2 Diabetes Using Intensive Insulin Therapy. Adv Ther. 2024 Apr 15. doi: 10.1007/s12325-024-02851-8. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38619722.