Effects of Continuous Glucose Monitoring on Impaired Awareness of Hypoglycemia in Older Adults With Type 1 Diabetes: A Post Hoc Analysis of the WISDM Study.

OBJECTIVE

Although continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) reduces hypoglycemia and may improve impaired awareness of hypoglycemia (IAH), its effectiveness in older adults at high risk remains unknown.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND

METHODS

This post hoc analysis of the WISDM study focuses on CGM use over 52 weeks. IAH was assessed using the Clarke original score (Clarke-full) and its subscales, Hypoglycemia Awareness Factor (HAF) and Severe Hypoglycemia Experienced Factors (SHEF), at baseline, 26 weeks, and 52 weeks.

RESULTS

After 26 weeks (n = 184) and 52 weeks (n = 94) of CGM use, Clarke-SHEF decreased significantly (P = 0.02 and P < 0.0001, respectively), whereas Clarke-full and Clarke-HAF remained unchanged. After 52 weeks, Clarke-full but not Clarke-HAF improved in the IAH subgroup, highlighting the importance of selecting the appropriate scoring method for IAH.

CONCLUSIONS

In older adults with type 1 diabetes, CGM improves hypoglycemia; however, its role in improving IAH is variable, depending on the scoring method. This study highlights the limitations of the Clarke score.