FreeStyle Libre® reduces diabetes-related hospitalisations for people with type 2 diabetes on once-daily insulin therapy

People living with type 2 diabetes on once-daily insulin therapy can prevent being admitted to hospital by using the FreeStyle Libre^® continuous glucose monitoring system, latest data shows.

Abbott has found these results from the Real-World Evidence of FreeStyle Libre (RELIEF) study and has presented them during the 58th Annual European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) meeting.

The retrospective study of the French national health claims database shows that among the 5,933 people with type 2 diabetes who were following a basal-only regimen, the number of acute diabetes-related hospitalisations decreased by 67 per cent after one year of using the FreeStyle Libre system.

The data also shows a 75 per cent reduction in hospitalisations for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a potentially life-threatening condition when glucose levels are too high for too long and ketone levels rise to dangerous levels in the blood, and a 44 per cent reduction in admissions for severe hypoglycaemia (low glucose levels).

Further, the study identifies sustained reductions in hospitalisations over a two-year period of FreeStyle Libre system use, regardless of whether the people were under the care of a diabetes specialist or a general healthcare practitioner. 

Professor Jean-Pierre Riveline said: “The results of the RELIEF study highlight the value of the FreeStyle Libre system in reducing serious diabetes-related events and hospitalisations among people with type 2 diabetes on basal-only therapy.

“The reductions are similar to the results seen among the larger cohort of people with type 2 diabetes who were receiving multiple daily injections, suggesting that FreeStyle Libre technology therapy should be proposed as part of individualised care for those with type 2 diabetes on basal-only insulin, not just people on intensive insulin therapy.”

When oral medications are no longer sufficient to regulate glucose levels, a doctor might change diabetes treatment, starting with once-a-day (basal) insulin therapy.

However, studies show that people with type 2 diabetes who start basal insulin therapy are three times more likely to experience severe hypoglycaemia.

The fear of hypoglycaemia affects both people with type 2 diabetes and their doctors. This fear is a barrier to intensifying treatment and impacts an individual’s willingness to follow the basal insulin therapy as prescribed by their doctor.

The RELIEF study suggests that reducing the incidence of hypoglycaemia and DKA may improve adherence and help people with diabetes achieve their glycaemic targets.

This is especially relevant for older people, where hypoglycaemia is associated with a significantly increased risk of falls, fractures, dementia, and death.

Dr Alexander Seibold, senior medical director in Abbott’s diabetes care division, said: “Moving from oral medications to insulin therapy can have a big impact on people with type 2 diabetes, both mentally and physically.

“Although the switch is often necessary to manage glucose levels, it can be stressful to inject insulin, which comes with associated risks.”

Dr Seibold added: “Our goal is to make diabetes care easier, which is why we offer solutions where people can check their actual glucose values and trends anytime on their smartphone or reader.

“This will help them catch rapidly changing glucose levels and allow them to make adjustments to their lifestyle or medications with much more confidence.”

The results from this latest study add to a growing body of evidence that has shown the effectiveness of the FreeStyle Libre system in reducing hospitalisations in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes on multiple daily injections of insulin.

Currently, in most European countries, the FreeStyle Libre system is reimbursed for all people with type 1 diabetes.

People with type 2 diabetes can only get the product reimbursed if they meet certain criteria, such as using insulin several times a day or having poorly controlled glucose levels.

The study has been published in the Journal of Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics.