Does the Use of Home-Based Continuous Glucose Monitoring Devices in Adults with Diabetes Mellitus Improve Hemoglobin A1c Levels? An Integrative Review

The prevalence of diabetes continues to rise, but patients’ ability to obtain and maintain glycemic control remains a challenge. In 2017, complications from diabetes resulted in over $300 billion expenditures in lost productivity and medical costs. The nation’s approach to addressing this problem starts with acknowledging the benefits that continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) as an adjunct intervention could change the trajectory of both diabetic care outcomes and the national expenditures associated with poor glycemic control, which leads to the destruction of other cells such as those found in the heart, eyes, and kidneys. Moreover, CGM use has been associated with reductions in glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels. Lower HbA1c levels in diabetes patients translate to better glycemic control. If diabetes patients can improve glycemic levels, they could prevent the severe complications associated with poor glycemic control. This integrative review involved a detailed search, review, and analysis of the literature to further evaluate the relationship between CGM use and HbA1c levels, reliability of CGM data, and patients’ acceptance of CGM use for glycemic management