Background: The FreeStyle Libre is a flash glucose monitoring (FGM) system, and glucose levels are measured when the reader is brought to the sensor. Additional readers allow for the conversion into a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system. These transmitters read data from the sensor and send them to a bluetooth-enabled device thanks to which the user acquires glucose measurements automatically. This modification allows the patient to receive alerts when blood glucose values are abnormal. Methods: The study relied on the results of an anonymous online survey conducted among patients with diabetes or their caregivers who use Facebook groups. A total of 132 respondents who met certain criteria (diabetic who use FGM system longer than 3 months, at least 14 days per month) were enrolled in the study. Results: A significant decrease in self-reported glycated hemoglobin levels was found in adults and children using readers (variable: age P = .008; time P < .001), regardless of the age. The use of additional readers was associated with a significant decrease in the number of self-reported episodes of hypoglycemia ( P < .001) and an improvement in the quality of life (based on self-reported limitations in everyday activities, social contacts, work/school, or doing sports). Conclusion: The use of additional readers for FGM system improves the metabolic control of diabetes and the quality of life, and has a positive effect on the safety of treatment. Flash glucose monitoring used together with additional readers operates as a CGM system and seems to be helpful for patients for the monitoring of interstitial levels of glucose; however, they should be careful when they use do it yourself solution.

No abstract

Introduction: The Nightscout system is a free Do It Yourself solution. This system appeared in Poland in 2016. The concept of the project is to provide insight into measurements from the system of continuous glucose monitoring in interstitial fluid by authorized persons. The aim: The study was carried out to assess the functionality of the Nightscout system and its effect on metabolic control, safety and the incidence of complications in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Material and methods:The study comprised 98 patients with type 1 diabetes. The study was conducted online using an anonymous questionnaire targeted at members of the “Nightscout Polska (Poland)” group on the Facebook. Results: Severe hypoglycaemic episodes with loss of consciousness were more frequent before using the Nightscout system and were reported by 3 adults (1-2 episodes). No severe hypoglycaemic episodes were reported when using the Nightscout system. The number of ketoacidosis episodes was reduced from 5 before using the Nightscout system to 2 episodes during the use of the system in children, and from 3 to 0 episodes in adults. Levels of glycated haemoglobin were lower in patients using the Nightscout system, both compared to control groups and values before the use it. In people using the Nightscout system glycated hemoglobin values were lower than their values before using this system. It was also shown that people using the Nightscout system had lower glycated hemoglobin than people from the control group. Conclusions: Using the Nightscout system can positively affect the safety of insulin therapy and the treatment process of type 1 diabetes. The Nightscout system can be an improvement of the system of continuous glucose monitoring in interstitial fluid.

The paper describes currently available interstitial glucose monitoring systems and discusses their advantages and disadvantages in comparison with conventional blood glucose measurements using glucose meters. Furthermore, it describes clinical trials assessing these systems in terms of their usefulness, safety and influence on therapeutic management in diabetes.