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Evidence for continuous glucose monitoring: sufficient for reimbursement?
Author(s) -
Heinemann L.,
DeVries J. H.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
diabetic medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.474
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1464-5491
pISSN - 0742-3071
DOI - 10.1111/dme.12341
Subject(s) - medicine , reimbursement , continuous glucose monitoring , intensive care medicine , pediatrics , diabetes mellitus , type 1 diabetes , endocrinology , health care , economics , economic growth
Evidence for continuous glucose monitoring is mounting. Meta‐analyses consistently show lowering of HbA 1c , and the first trial reporting a reduction in severe hypoglycaemic events in patients with hypoglycaemia unawareness has recently been presented. The more recent trials studied larger numbers of patients and may have shown better results because of improved technology. The various combinations of pump and sensor, with automated bolus calculators and low glucose suspend features, make evaluation more challenging from a reimbursement point of view, but evidence seems convincing enough to justify reimbursement for selected patient groups, including those who have shown a substantial improvement in HbA 1c during a trial period, and those with hypoglycaemia unawareness who encountered severe hypoglycaemia in the recent past. More data on cost–efficacy are needed.