A Trial Comparing Continuous Glucose Monitoring With and Without Routine Blood Glucose Monitoring in Adults With Type 1 Diabetes

A Randomized Trial Comparing Continuous Glucose Monitoring With and Without Routine Blood Glucose Monitoring in Adults With Type 1 Diabetes

The primary objective of the study is to determine whether the routine use of Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) without Blood Glucose Monitoring (BGM) confirmation is as safe and effective as CGM used as an adjunct to BGM.

CGM offers the opportunity to improve glycemic control, including a reduction in hypoglycemia. Unlike home blood glucose monitors, CGM is not intended to be used directly for making therapy adjustments and is an adjunctive device to supplement information obtained from a standard blood glucose monitor. However, although the labeling for CGM requires a BGM measurement before making a therapy adjustment, many CGM users often decide on a meal bolus based on CGM alone.

A study comparing CGM used solely as an adjunctive device, as per the FDA labeling, versus CGM used largely in lieu of BGM measurements would provide valuable data. Since many individuals with T1D are often using CGM alone when bolusing insulin, obtaining data on the safety and efficacy of this approach will be important. If indeed insulin dosing decisions are proven to be safe and effective using CGM alone (without BGM confirmation) compared to CGM with BGM confirmations, this study would also pave the way for a new standard diabetes management protocol and therapy that would not require eight BGM measurements (i.e. finger sticks) a day and ease the burden of managing type 1 diabetes.

For this study, participants will be randomly assigned with 2:1 probability to the CGM Only and CGM+BGM groups, respectively. Prior to randomization, the study will be preceded by a run-in period of up to 10 weeks to collect blinded baseline CGM data, to train the participants on CGM use, to assess compliance with CGM use, and to initiate standard CGM use. During the standard CGM use run-in phase, visits will occur after 2, 4 and 8 weeks, with phone calls at 1, 3, and 6 weeks. Current CGM users may be eligible to skip part of the run-in phase. Participants successfully completing the run-in phase will be randomized.

Both groups will use CGM devices and BGM. The CGM device to be used in the study is the Dexcom G4 Platinum Continuous Glucose Monitoring System with modified algorithm. The CGM+BGM group will be instructed to measure the blood glucose whenever a diabetes management decision is made. The CGM Only group will be instructed to only measure the blood glucose (other than for calibration) with a standard BGM meter in certain circumstances and will use a blinded BGM meter at times when a standard BGM measurement is not done. Following randomization, there will be a phone contact during the first week (4 to 8 days following randomization) to address any questions the participant has about the protocol. Follow up visits will occur at 3, 6, 13, 19 and 26 weeks.

Inclusion Criteria:

To be eligible, all participants must meet the following inclusion criteria:

1. Clinical diagnosis of type 1 diabetes (based on investigator's judgment)
2. Age >=18 years
3. T1D duration >=1
4. HbA1c <=9.0% (a local laboratory or DCA2000 or comparable point of care device will be used to assess eligibility)
5. Use of an insulin pump for insulin delivery for at least 3 months, with no plans to discontinue pump use during the next 8 months
6. Participant is able to manage his/her diabetes with respect to insulin administration and glucose monitoring, as assessed by the investigator during the screening visit
7. Participant understands the study protocol and agrees to comply with it, including willingness to use the study CGM and BGM
8. No expectation that participant will be moving out of the area of the clinical center during the time period of the study, unless the move will be to an area served by another study center

Exclusion Criteria:

Individuals who meet any of the following criteria are not eligible for the study:

1. Severe hypoglycemia in the last 12 months in which the assistance of another individual was needed or seizure/loss of consciousness in the past 3 years

2. Significant hypoglycemia unawareness based on the Clarke Hypoglycemia Unawareness Survey defined as at least one of the following being present:

   • Survey score >2
   • Survey Q1 is answered as 'I no longer have symptoms when my blood sugar is low'
   • Survey Q7 response indicates that symptoms of hypoglycemia are not felt until glucose level is <50 mg/dl
   • Survey Q8 response is never or rarely to the question 'to what extent can you tell by your symptoms that your blood sugar is low'

3. More than one DKA event in the past year

4. History of seizures other than due to hypoglycemia

5. Current use of a threshold suspend pump feature (note: participant is eligible if a pump with this feature was being used but the threshold suspend was not active)

6. Myocardial infarction or stroke in past 6 months

7. Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) <30 obtained within the prior 12 months as part of usual care or kidney transplant

8. Most recent thyroid function test results abnormal, obtained as part of usual care within the prior 2 years

9. The presence of a significant medical or psychiatric disorder or use of a medication that in the judgment of the investigator will affect the wearing of the sensors, the completion of any aspect of the protocol, or increase risk

10. Cognitive difficulties that, in the judgment of the investigator, could impair the individual's ability to follow the protocol or increase risk

11. Initiation of a non-insulin drug for glucose control during the past 3 months, planned initiation during the next 8 months, or discontinuation of a non-insulin drug for glucose control during the past 3 months (note: individuals using a non-insulin medication for glucose control for 3 or more months are eligible provided there is no expectation that the medication will be discontinued during the time period of study participation)

12. Use of a systemic beta blocker drug

13. Regular use of oral corticosteroids

14. Anticipated need to use acetaminophen during the time course of the study

15. Inpatient psychiatric treatment in the past 6 months

16. Currently pregnant or lactating or plan to attempt getting pregnant during the time period of the study

    • Females with child-bearing potential will be queried about the possibility of pregnancy and a urine pregnancy test will be performed if there is uncertainty as to the possibility of pregnancy. They must agree to use appropriate birth control during the time period of the study. Participants will receive education regarding birth control methods which may be considered as highly effective, which are methods that can achieve a failure rate less than 1% per year when used consistently and correctly and include:

    • Combined hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation (oral, intravaginal, transdermal)
    • Progestogen-only hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation (oral, injectable, implantable)
    • Intrauterine device (IUD)
    • Intrauterine hormone-releasing system (IUS)
    • Bilateral tubal occlusion
    • Vasectomised partner
    • Sexual abstinence

17. Participation in an intervention study (including psychological studies) in past 6 weeks

18. Known adhesive allergy

19. From the blinded run-in phase (or from pre-study CGM use if criteria met to skip the blinded run-in phase), CGM values <60 mg/dl for more than 10.0% of the time

20. Unsuccessful completion of the run-in phases with respect to CGM or BGM use