MAIDENHEAD, 30 September 2021 – Abbott this week announced new data recently published in the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology demonstrating that people living with diabetes who use FreeStyle Libre's smartphone app (versus a reader) experienced an average 5% (approximately an hour per day)i more time spent in the target glucose range, known as Time in Range (TIR). The free-of-charge FreeStyle LibreLink app enables FreeStyle Libre and FreeStyle Libre 2 system users to receive glucose readings from a small sensor worn on the back of the upper arm, directly to compatible smartphones.
TIR captures the percentage of time in a day a person with diabetes spends in the target glucose range. The recommended range for most people living with diabetes is 3.9 - 10.0 mmol/L. Every extra hour spent in range has a positive impact on glucose controlii and a 5% difference represents a clinically significant hour per day approximately. These results may be the outcome of data sharing features of the FreeStyle LibreLink app; healthcare professionals, caregivers, and people living with diabetes can easily view Time in Target reports and receive immediate glucose feedback to make more informed treatment decisions.
"Time in Range is a critical metric for diabetes management because it gives that immediate visibility into glucose levels. FreeStyle Libre sensor-based technology and digital health solutions simplify the experience of staying in target range by providing real-time, actionable data delivered straight to smartphones and removing the need for a separate reader," said Mahmood Kazemi, M.D., divisional vice president, global medical and scientific affairs and chief medical officer, Diabetes Care, Abbott. "This technology helps people living with diabetes make lifestyle choices that are personalised to their own target data and provides an achievable goal that leads to better health outcomes."
In addition to more time spent in the target range, the real-world data shows that FreeStyle LibreLink app users also experienced lower glucose variability, lower average glucose, and less time in hyperglycemia than reader users. These results also bolster the importance of sharing data with healthcare professionals through telehealth for remote glucose monitoring.
During the COVID-19 mandated lockdowns, studies in Scotlandiii and Spainiv, found that FreeStyle Libre users with type 1 diabetes increased TIR (3% and 4% respectively) over the lockdown period, with associated improvements in glycaemic variability and estimated HbA1c.
"At the onset of COVID-19, the healthcare community quickly adapted to a virtual world and thanks to our digital connections with glucose sensor technology, we were able to remotely monitor and guide our patients," said Thomas Danne, director of the Department of General Paediatrics and Endocrinology/Diabetology at the Auf der Bult Hospital, Hanover, Germany. "This adoption of telehealth creates a new standard for healthcare. As we emerge from this pandemic, we can continue to actively manage diabetes remotely. Together with our patients, we can make informed decisions to improve Time in Range."
To continue to help improve the daily lives of people with diabetes, Abbott has joined forces with Novo Nordisk and The diatribe Foundation to increase awareness around the importance of TIR and advance standard of care. The global campaign, "It's Time for Time in Range," provides TIR education, clinical guidance, expert insights and resources to healthcare providers via TIRhub.com
Providing breakthrough technology that is accessible and affordablev, the FreeStyle Libre portfolio is the world-leading glucose sensor-based technologyvi, changing the lives of nearly 3.5 million people across more than 50 countries. Abbott has secured partial or full reimbursement for the FreeStyle Libre system in 38 countries, including Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the U.S.
About Abbott
Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals, and branded generic medicines. Our 109,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.
Connect with us at www.abbott.co.uk, on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/abbott-/, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @AbbottNews.
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References
i Kao K, Bradner L, Virdi N. Comparison of Glucose Metrics Between Users of CGM Readers and CGM-Connected Apps, Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology. 2021. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/19322968211044141
ii Battelino T, Danne T, Bergenstal RM, et al. Clinical targets for continuous glucose monitoring data interpretation: recommendations from the international consensus on time in range. Diabetes Care. 2019;42(8):1593-1603.
iii Dover AR, Ritchie SA, McKnight JA, et al. Assessment of the effect of the COVID-19 lockdown on glycaemic control in people with type 1 diabetes using flash glucose monitoring. Diabetic Med. 2020; http://doi.org/10.1111/dme.14374.
iv Fernandez E, Cortazar A, Bellido V. Impact of COVID-19 lockdown on glycemic control in patients with type 1 diabetes. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2020; 166: 108348. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diabres.2020.108348
v Based on a comparison of list prices of the FreeStyle Libre portfolio versus competitor CGM systems. The actual cost to patients may or may not be lower than other CGM systems, depending on the amount covered by insurance, if any.
vi Data 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.
ADC-45729 (v1.0) 09/2021
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