FreeStyle Libre halves the risk of DKA related hospital admissions
Using a FreeStyle Libre halves the risk of being admitted to hospital with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), according to researchers.
More than 74,000 people took part in the RELIEF study, of which 33,000 had type 1 diabetes and the rest had type 2.
The findings suggested that the pioneering device, the world’s first sensor-based glucose monitoring system, reduced annual DKA rates by 52% in those with type 1 diabetes and 47% in those with type 2 diabetes.
The greatest reductions in DKA-related hospitalisations occurred in people who did not conduct traditional finger prick testing, as well as those who performed finger pricks more than five times per day, regardless of previous test strip usage.
Among those who did not finger prick, results showed decreases of 60% and 51% in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, respectively.
For people who performed finger pricks more than five times per day, findings showed a reduction of 59% for people with type 1 diabetes and 52% for people with type 2 diabetes.
Dr Ronan Roussel, chief of the endocrinology, diabetes and nutrition department at Hôpital Bichat, Fédération de Diabétologie, AP-HP in Paris, and lead author for the RELIEF study, said: “The results of this study strongly support our hypothesis that the use of the FreeStyle Libre technology enables people to identify and reduce hyperglycaemia, and in turn, limit diabetic ketoacidosis.
“These data are suggestive of significant, long-term health benefits and cost savings from use of Abbott’s sensor-based glucose monitoring system.”
Dr Mahmood Kazemi, divisional vice president, global medical and scientific affairs and chief medical officer, Diabetes Care, Abbott, added: “These new data further reinforce the life-changing benefits of Abbott’s glucose sensing technology in delivering meaningful outcomes for people living with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
“Through improved glucose control and reductions in diabetes-related complications or hospitalisations, the findings underpin why millions of people globally choose our FreeStyle Libre system to manage their condition and improve their quality of life.”