Type 2 Decompensated Diabetes Mellitus Weaned off Subcutaneous Insulin Therapy by Utilizing a Continuous Glucose Monitoring Device

Abstract

A case series was conducted on three patients diagnosed with decompensated type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who had hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels ranging from 9.5% to above 14%. Patients were self-monitoring blood glucose (SMBG) levels four times a day. These patients were seen at the resident continuity clinic and were placed on continuous glucose monitor (CGM) devices to monitor their blood glucose levels. To improve the effectiveness of the treatment closely, a CGM team consisting of transitional year and internal medicine residents was arranged. The CGM team provided comprehensive education and written instructions on dietary changes, insulin administration, and physical activity at monthly follow-up appointments. Before the instructions were given to the patients, they were reviewed and approved by the supervising attending physician who was a board-certified endocrinologist. Our CGM team successfully managed these three patients with T2DM by tailoring their insulin regimens by using real-time CGM data. With the help of close CGM monitoring, patients were successfully transitioned from requiring multiple subcutaneous insulin injections to oral anti-diabetics. After the transition, patients’ T2DM remained well-controlled with an HbA1c level of less than 7% at their follow-up appointments. This case series demonstrated the successful implementation of CGM-guided T2DM treatment in a continuity clinic managed by residents. To our knowledge, the use of CGM-guided T2DM treatment in the setting of resident care has never been reported in the United States before. This may serve as a benchmark for other continuity clinics which residents run across the country.