The market could potentially expand for Abbott's world-leading1 FreeStyle Libre portfolio thanks to new data showing that the continuous glucose monitor (CGM) benefits people with type 2 diabetes regardless of whether or not they use insulin. These data were presented June 13 at the American Diabetes Association (ADA) 80th Scientific Sessions.
Historically, studies on Abbott's CGM technology focused on people with diabetes who use insulin multiple times a day.
This retrospective study2 looked at people with diabetes who take long-acting insulin, which requires fewer injections per day and those who don’t use insulin at all. The study found that both groups of people benefited greatly from using Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre system.
Overall, the study2 found that peoples’ HbA1c levels dropped 0.8% (from 8.5% to 7.7%) six months after starting to use the FreeStyle Libre system and decreased 0.6% (from 8.5% to 7.9%) after one year of using Abbott's CGM technology.
The HbA1c level reflects a person's mean glucose concentration over the past approximately 8 to 12 weeks.3 The ADA's recommended A1c goal for adults is 7%.4
"These data highlight how use of Abbott's continuous glucose monitor could be game-changing for people beyond intensive insulin users, translating to broader use of the technology to benefit all those living with diabetes, no matter where they are in the spectrum of care," said Dr. Eden Miller, one of the study authors and a family practice physician at High Lakes Health Care in Oregon.
Key Findings of Separate Bate-Breaking Abstracts
Two additional late-breaking results also assessed the impact of FreeStyle Libre use among people with type 2 diabetes who are not using intensive insulin therapy (such as bolus insulin).
These are the key findings:
- The FreeStyle Libre system was associated with a substantial decrease in HbA1c levels among people with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes not using bolus insulin.5 A1c levels decreased 0.99% after six months in those on bolus insulin and they dropped 1.56% among those not using insulin.
- Using the FreeStyle Libre system also was associated with a 30% reduction in complications from diabetes and a 13% drop in all-cause hospitalizations among people with type 2 diabetes not on intensive insulin therapy.6
"These new data emphasize the power of the FreeStyle Libre system to change countless lives among the millions of people with diabetes," said Mahmood Kazemi, M.D., divisional vice president, global medical and scientific affairs and chief medical officer, Diabetes Care, Abbott.
Get more details on the studies presented at the ADA Scientific Sessions.
References
1Data on file, Abbott Diabetes Care. Data based on the number of users worldwide for the FreeStyle Libre system compared to the number of users for other leading personal use, sensor-based glucose monitoring systems.
2Miller, Brandner et al. HbA1c Reduction After Initiation of the FreeStyle Libre System in Type 2 Diabetes Patients on Long-Acting Insulin or Non-Insulin Therapy.
3Mayo Clinic, Test ID: HBA1C.
4American Diabetes Association. A1C and eAG. http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/blood-glucose-control/a1c/.
5Wright et al. HbA1c Reduction Associated with a FreeStyle Libre® System in People with Type 2 Diabetes Not on Bolus Insulin Therapy.
6Miller et al. FreeStyle Libre System Use Associated with Reduction in Acute Diabetes Events and All-Cause Hospitalizations in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Without Bolus Insulin.
