Continuous glucose monitoring. Utility and indications

An adequate glycemic control prevents and/or delays the development and/or progression of chronic complications in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). To achieve this control, it is necessary to adjust insulin doses, in type 1 or insulinized type 2 DM persons, based on traditional capillary glucose self-monitoring, which has limitations to generate an adequate data record, is invasive and has low adherence. In contrast, new continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems provide more complete and dynamic information, and better compliance. In these systems, a subcutaneous sensor continuously sends glucose values which are captured and stocked by a receptor module. Real-time models (CGMRT) allow continuous and real-time readings of interstitial glucose, whereas CGM-Flash/EI systems require lector approach to sensor module performing intermittent scanning. CGM shows if glycemic levels are increasing or decreasing and how fast it is happening (tendency). CGM decreases glycosylated hemoglobin between 0.53% and 1.0%, as well as time in hypoglycemia by 38%, increasing the time in range of glucose levels, in patients with high adherence. The objectives of this review are to describe the glycemic homeostasis, to evaluate the accuracy of the CGM to interpret the data adequately and finally, based on the information provided by these novel monitoring systems, to suggest a practical way to be added to the traditional intensive insulin therapy.