Flash glucose monitoring experiences of the families of the patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Aim: Patients with type 1 diabetes and their families are increasingly interested in technological development in glucose monitoring. The comfort of frequently monitoring with flash glucose monitoring (Freestyle Libre/Abbott) is appealing although it is not commercially available yet in Turkey. In this study, we aimed to investigate the data obtained by this method as well as the experience, satisfaction, and the problems encountered by the families.Materials-Methods: A questionnaire was given to the families of diabetic patients by a web based program. The questions involved information about age, gender, last HbA1c, and duration of diabetes as well as information about the device. Repetitious answers, incomplete data, and patients above 18 years of age were not included.Results: Mean age of the 72 patients was 8.29 years and 42% was male. Mean duration of diabetes was 2.6 years and mean HbA1c was 7.27%. Freestyle Libre was used for 5.6 months (15 days-19 months). The families had heard about the device from internet (62%), friend (23.9%), doctor (9.9%), or relatives (4.2%). In response to confirmation of the results by finger stick measurement, 70.8% said sometimes, 27.8 frequently, 1.4% no. HbA1c was claimed to improve in 73.6%, and it did not change in 23.6%. 96% reported that the device made their life easier and 97% was willing to recommend it to other families.Conclusions: The families are in search to make glucose monitoring easier for their children. Although, they have some concerns about the reliability of the measurements at extremely high and low blood glucose levels, they are happy because it is easy and practical to use.