OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy, safety and complications of the continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS) in diabetic patients (DM). The impact of this system on metabolic/glycemic control is still under discussion. METHODS: The 53 patients studied (47.2% male / 52.8% female), average age: 29.74±16.38 years, DM1 prevalence (86.8%) were submitted to 72h CGMS (Medtronic; Northridge, CA). Capillary glycemia (CG) and mean CGMS sensor's glycaemic value; correlation coefficient, glycemic excursions (CGMS vs. CG), postprandial hyperglycemia, unrecognized hypoglycemia, complications and therapeutic management after CGMS were analyzed. A1c levels were measured at baseline (1 month before) and after 3 months of the study. RESULTS: The mean capillary glucose values were 191.3±45.6 vs. 192.5±43.9mg/dl by CGMS sensor, with significant correlation (p=0.001). The correlation coefficient was 0.87± 0.16 (VR>0.79). The CGMS was significantly more efficient in the detection of glycemic excursion related to capillary glycemia (p=0.001). Postprandial hyperglycemia was identified in 77.3% of diabetic patients and nocturnal unrecognized hypoglycemia was detected in 54%. Data showed a significantly decreased A1c level, three months after the CGMS (p=0.001). No complications were registered in 89.8% of patients. CONCLUSION: The CGMS was confirmed to be a very safe method, with high accuracy in glycemic values and to have a low complication rate. It is a good method to identify glucose excursion, postprandial hyperglycemia and asymptomatic hypoglycemia, with a significant impact on the A1c levels of diabetic patients.
CGMS; Capillary glycemia; Diabetes mellitus
