Advantages of the Usage of Flash Glucose Monitoring System in Children and Adolescent with Type 1 Diabetes: A Survey Analysis

Abstract

Objective: To assess the advantages and disadvantages of using freestyle libre flash glucose monitoring system (FGMS) in children and adolescent with type 1 Diabetes (T1DM). Methods: A prospective pilot study included 70 children and adolescents with T1DM visiting the pediatric diabetes clinic at King Abdulaziz University hospital (KAUH), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia from June to August, 2016. 26 (37.1%) were males and 44 (62.9%) females, aged from 6-20 years, mean age 12.83 ± 3.2 years. A survey questions were addressing, the advantages, disadvantages and benefits of FGMS with sleeping, daily activities, exercise, accuracy and participants' satisfaction from FGMS. Results: Parents of participants reported 95.7% of easily ability to measured glucose during sleep. 77.1% have given a negative answer about sensors disturbance during exercise. 85.7% did not have any difficulties in wearing or taking off clothes with the sensor. 72.8% denied any pain or itching from the sensor. 75.8% reported that the sensor is well fixed to the skin. 92.2% agreed that FGMS has advantages of facilitating more observation, regulating their glucose variability and adjustments of insulin doses. Conclusion: Majority of children and adolescents with their parents preferred using FGMS to have a painless, easier detection and adjustment of hypoglycemic/hyperglycemic episodes in comparison to the widely traditional used finger sticking glucometers.