New analysis shows that FreeStyle Libre System provides similar and sustained reductions in glucose levels for people with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.- Abbott

People with type 2 diabetes who use insulin are often restricted when it comes to access to continuous glucose monitoring, but both clinical trials and real-world studies demonstrate significant improvement of glycaemic control. The results were presented at the Advanced Technologies & Treatments for Diabetes (ATTD) Congress, 27-30 April 2022, in Barcelona.

After three months of using the FreeStyle Libre system, HbA1c levels were reduced by 0.53% in adults with type 1 diabetes (from 8,20% to 7,67%) and 0.45% in adults with type 2 diabetes (from 8,17% to 7,72%). These are clinically significant reductions of average glucose levels towards the internationally recommended HbA1c goal of 7% for adults with diabetes. Reductions were sustained for up to 24 months in those with type 1 diabetes and up to 12 months in those with type 2 diabetes, reflecting the duration of the studies available for analysis. Reductions in HbA1c over time followed a similar pattern for people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, demonstrating that, in a real-world setting, people with type 2 diabetes who use insulin benefit from FreeStyle Libre system in a similar way as people with type 1 diabetes.

"Many people with type 2 diabetes who use insulin have a very similar experience to people with type 1 diabetes in terms of the risk of complications and the need to monitor blood glucose, but access to sensing technology is rarely equal for both groups," said Mark Evans MD FRCP, University Professor of Diabetic Medicine, University of Cambridge. "Our analysis demonstrates the value of constant glucose monitoring to support glycaemic control in people with advanced type 2 diabetes who use insulin as we see clinically meaningful benefits translated to a real-world setting."

Currently, in most European countries, the FreeStyle Libre system is reimbursed for all people with type 1 diabetes, but 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 HbA1c levels. HbA1c provides an estimate of average glucose levels over a period of time and is the standard measurement of glycaemic control for people with diabetes.

Increased HbA1c is associated with a greater risk of developing complications related to diabetes, such as cardiovascular disease. The new meta-analysis found that people with a higher HbA1c at baseline experienced greater reductions in HbA1c after being initiated on the FreeStyle Libre system.

"Our FreeStyle Libre system is the most studied wearable glucose monitor with proven clinical and real-world data from more than 1 million users," said Alexander Seibold, EMEA medical director for Abbott’s diabetes care business. "It provides people with real-time insights into how their glucose levels are affected by their daily routines, empowering them to make healthy adjustments and see the benefit to their health and life. It puts people with diabetes in control of their health."

The FreeStyle Libre glucose monitoring system includes a sensor, which is applied to the back of the upper arm for up to 14 days and continuously measures glucose, paired with a reader or compatible smartphone app that display glucose readings. It is the number one sensor-based glucose monitoring system used in Europe and worldwide. Abbott's FreeStyle Libre portfolio has already changed the lives of approximately 4 million people across more than 50 countries5 by providing breakthrough technology that is accessible and affordable.