Individuals with type 2 diabetes on once-daily insulin therapy are less likely to be admitted to hospital if they use the FreeStyle Libre® continuous glucose monitoring system, research shows.
A Real-World Evidence of FreeStyle Libre (RELIEF) study conducted by Abbott has found that using the FreeStyle Libre® system reduces an individual’s risk of being admitted to hospital with a diabetes-related problem by 67 per cent.
During the experiment, the team of academics analysed the health outcomes of 5,933 adults with type 2 diabetes to assess whether the FreeStyle Libre® continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system prevented them from being admitted to hospital.
They found that using the FreeStyle Libre® CGM reduced an individual’s risk of being admitted to hospital with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) by approximately 75 per cent.
In addition, the device prevents people being admitted to hospital with severe hypoglycaemia by nearly 50 per cent, the study has reported.
“The results of the RELIEF study highlight the value of the FreeStyle Libre system in reducing serious diabetes-related events and hospitalisations among people with type 2 diabetes on basal-only therapy,” said Professor Jean-Pierre Riveline.
He added: “The reductions are similar to the results seen among the larger cohort of people with type 2 diabetes who were receiving multiple daily injections, suggesting that FreeStyle Libre technology therapy should be proposed as part of individualised care for those with type 2 diabetes on basal-only insulin, not just people on intensive insulin therapy.”
When oral medications are no longer sufficient to regulate glucose levels, a doctor might change diabetes treatment, starting with once-a-day (basal) insulin therapy.
However, prior research shows that people with type 2 diabetes who start basal insulin therapy are three times more likely to experience severe hypoglycaemia.
Senior medical director in Abbott’s diabetes care division, Dr Alexander Seibold said: “Moving from oral medications to insulin therapy can have a big impact on people with type 2 diabetes, both mentally and physically.
“Although the switch is often necessary to manage glucose levels, it can be stressful to inject insulin, which comes with associated risks.”
Dr Seibold evaluated: “Our goal is to make diabetes care easier, which is why we offer solutions where people can check their actual glucose values and trends anytime on their smartphone or reader.
“This will help them catch rapidly changing glucose levels and allow them to make adjustments to their lifestyle or medications with much more confidence.”
The results from this latest study add to a growing body of evidence that has shown the effectiveness of the FreeStyle Libre system in reducing hospitalisations in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes on multiple daily injections of insulin.
Currently, in most European countries, the FreeStyle Libre system is reimbursed for all people with type 1 diabetes.
People with type 2 diabetes can only get the product reimbursed if they meet certain criteria, such as using insulin several times a day or having poorly controlled glucose levels.
To read the study in full, click here.
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