Patient organisation comments

Advice

Diabetes UK gave the following comments on the Dexcom G6.

In its experience, Diabetes UK stated that Dexcom represents a significant change from finger-prick blood glucose monitoring, which is presently the most common form of monitoring. It noted that the Dexcom G6 can be used in combination with either the Diabecare R insulin pump or the Tandem t:slim X2 insulin pump to produce a hybrid-closed-loop artificial pancreas system. This represents a significant change in diabetes management.

Diabetes UK noted that continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices, such as Dexcom, can improve patient experience and quality of life, particularly in diabetes-related quality-of-life measures such as diabetes distress. The size of the Dexcom sensor allows it to be worn in different locations and this may allow greater flexibility for patients.

The Dexcom sensor alarm function may benefit parents and carers of children with diabetes by reducing the need for blood glucose testing in the middle of the night, and for people with limited hypo-awareness by allowed earlier detection of a hypoglycaemic event then by routine testing. Other groups who may particularly benefit from Dexcom G6 include people with elevated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), people who experience frequent hypoglycaemia, people who do regular intensive exercise, and children and young people.

Diabetes UK stated that clinical benefits of CGM for people with diabetes are well documented. This includes the lowering of HbA1c levels, improved neonatal outcomes in mothers with type 1 diabetes and decreasing the number of hypoglycaemic events. They noted that since 2019 the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency permits CGM for people with diabetes to establish they are fit to drive, in place of finger-prick monitoring.

Diabetes UK noted the potential benefits of Dexcom on family life because of reducing the diabetes-related anxieties that parents and carers may experience when away from their children. However, the charity also noted that some people using CGM may experience burnout because of alarms or the volume of data CGM can produce. Data from the Dexcom G6 could be used to offer more tailored, person-centred advice and support around steps to improve diabetes self-management. Training by the healthcare team would be needed and could be given remotely or face-to-face.