Managing diabetes in a "flash"

Researcher profiles:
* Associate Professor Ben Wheeler (PI)
* Dr Sara Boucher
* Andrew Gray
* Dr Martin de Bock
* Associate Professor Esko Wiltshire
* Professor Barbara Galland
* Dr Paul Tomlinson
* Jenny Rayns
* Dr Karen Mackenzie

Randomised controlled trial of a novel glucose monitoring system among adolescents

This study was a randomised controlled trial of novel flash continuous glucose monitors  (FreeStyle Libre) in a teenage population. The main objective was to determine whether adding this novel technology to usual care in adolescents (aged 13-20 years) with poorly controlled type 1 diabetes may lead to:
*improved glycaemic control;
*increased glucose monitoring behaviour; and/or
*improved quality of life in patients.

The 64 study participants were divided into two groups – one group used flash glucose monitoring, and the other used finger-prick monitoring.

Those who were given the flash glucose monitors more than doubled their glucose level monitoring frequency. However, the flash monitoring technology did not improved glucose control and quality of life significantly more than the control group after six months.

"Despite the improved glucose-checking technology, and overwhelmingly positive participant and family experiences, improving psychosocial outcomes will require more intensive methods" says Associate Professor Wheeler.

New tech sees teens with diabetes improve glucose monitoring, but not control

Find out more

• New glucose monitoring technology under spotlight in world-first study, Otago Bulletin Board, Wednesday 11 April, 2018, University of Otago website.
• Managing diabetes in a "Flash": Exploring a novel glucose monitoring system among adolescents with poorly controlled type 1 diabetes, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Otago website.

Publications

Marsters BL, Boucher SE, Galland BC, Wiltshire EJ, de Bock MI, Tomlinson PA, Rayns J, MacKenzie KE, Chan H, Wheeler BJ. Cutaneous adverse events in a randomized controlled trial of flash glucose monitoring among youth with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Pediatr Diabetes. 2020 Dec;21(8):1516-1524. doi: 10.1111/pedi.13121.

Marsters BL, Boucher SE, Galland BC, de Lange M, Wiltshire EJ, de Bock MI, Elbalshy MM, Tomlinson PA, Rayns J, MacKenzie KE, Chan H, Wheeler BJ. The 'flash' adhesive study: a randomized crossover trial using an additional adhesive patch to prolong freestyle libre sensor life among youth with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Acta Diabetol. 2020 Nov;57(11):1307-1314. doi: 10.1007/s00592-020-01556-y.

Elbalshy M, Boucher S, Crocket H, Galland B, MacKenzie C, de Bock MI, Jefferies C, Wiltshire E, Wheeler BJ. Exploring Parental Experiences of Using a Do-It-Yourself Solution for Continuous Glucose Monitoring Among Children and Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes: A Qualitative Study. J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2020 Sep;14(5):844-853. doi: 10.1177/1932296819895290.

Boucher SE, Aum SH, Crocket HR, Wiltshire EJ, Tomlinson PA, de Bock MI, Wheeler BJ. Exploring parental perspectives after commencement of flash glucose monitoring for type 1 diabetes in adolescents and young adults not meeting glycaemic targets: a qualitative study. Diabet Med. 2020 Apr;37(4):657-664. doi: 10.1111/dme.14188.

Asarani NAM, Reynolds AN, Boucher SE, de Bock M, Wheeler BJ. Cutaneous Complications With Continuous or Flash Glucose Monitoring Use: Systematic Review of Trials and Observational Studies. J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2020 Mar;14(2):328-337. doi: 10.1177/1932296819870849.

Boucher S, Blackwell M, Galland B, de Bock M, Crocket H, Wiltshire E, Tomlinson P, Rayns J, Wheeler B. Initial experiences of adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes and high-risk glycemic control after starting flash glucose monitoring - a qualitative study. J Diabetes Metab Disord. 2019 Dec 7;19(1):37-46. doi: 10.1007/s40200-019-00472-5.

Boucher SE, Gray AR, de Bock M, Wiltshire EJ, Galland BC, Tomlinson PA, Rayns J, MacKenzie KE, Wheeler BJ. Effect of 6 months' flash glucose monitoring in adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes and suboptimal glycaemic control: managing diabetes in a 'flash' randomised controlled trial protocol. BMC Endocr Disord. 2019 May 20;19(1):50. doi: 10.1186/s12902-019-0378-z.