In our registry-based observational study, patients with type 1 diabetes and a glycated hemoglobin level of 6.9% or lower had a risk of death from any cause or from cardiovascular causes that was twice as high as the risk for matched controls. (Funded by the Swedish Society of Medicine and others.).

Mortality among persons with type 2 diabetes, as compared with that in the general population, varied greatly, from substantial excess risks in large patient groups to lower risks of death depending on age, glycemic control, and renal complications. (Funded by the Swedish government and others.).

IMPORTANCEThe majority of individuals with type 1 diabetes do not meet recommended glycemic targets.OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of continuous glucose monitoring in adults with type 1 diabetes treated with multiple daily insulin injections. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTSOpen-label crossover randomized clinical trial conducted in 15 diabetes outpatient clinics in Sweden between February 24, 2014, and June 1, 2016 that included 161 individuals with type 1 diabetes and hemoglobin A 1c (HbA 1c ) of at least 7.5% (58 mmol/mol) treated with multiple daily insulin injections.INTERVENTIONS Participants were randomized to receive treatment using a continuous glucose monitoring system or conventional treatment for 26 weeks, separated by a washout period of 17 weeks. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURESDifference in HbA 1c between weeks 26 and 69 for the 2 treatments. Adverse events including severe hypoglycemia were also studied. RESULTS Among 161 randomized participants, mean age was 43.7 years, 45.3% were women, and mean HbA 1c was 8.6% (70 mmol/mol). A total of 142 participants had follow-up data in both treatment periods. Mean HbA 1c was 7.92% (63 mmol/mol) during continuous glucose monitoring use and 8.35% (68 mmol/mol) during conventional treatment (mean difference, −0.43% [95% CI, −0.57% to −0.29%] or −4.7 [−6.3 to −3.1 mmol/mol]; P < .001). Of 19 secondary end points comprising psychosocial and various glycemic measures, 6 met the hierarchical testing criteria of statistical significance, favoring continuous glucose monitoring compared with conventional treatment. Five patients in the conventional treatment group and 1 patient in the continuous glucose monitoring group had severe hypoglycemia. During washout when patients used conventional therapy, 7 patients had severe hypoglycemia.CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Among patients with inadequately controlled type 1 diabetes treated with multiple daily insulin injections, the use of continuous glucose monitoring compared with conventional treatment for 26 weeks resulted in lower HbA 1c . Further research is needed to assess clinical outcomes and longer-term adverse effects.

Study queStion

The Dexcom G4 sensor was associated with greater overall accuracy than the Enlite sensor during initial (Days 1-3) and later (Days 4-6) use and for glucose levels in the hypoglycemic range. Patients reported a significantly more positive experience using the Dexcom G4 than the Enlite.