Predicting optimal use of continuous glucose monitors in adolescents with type 1 diabetes: It's about benefit and burden

Abstract Purpose Youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D) often use Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) devices; however, many do not wear them consistently enough to obtain optimal glycemic benefit. This study aimed to identify demographic and psychosocial predictors of optimal CGM use in adolescents with T1D to inform nurse-led interventions to improve adherence. Design and methods Cross-sectional survey data from youth (12–19 years) using CGM were analyzed to determine whether perceived benefits/burdens of CGM, self-efficacy, and coping predicted being a “CGM Optimizer” (wearing CGM 6–7 days/week) or “CGM Sub-user.” Results Of 282 adolescents (54% female), 161 were CGM Optimizers and 121 were CGM Sub-Users. Optimizers were younger (15.91 ± 2.17 years vs. 16.79 ± 2.17, p = 0.001), more likely non-Hispanic White (91.9% vs 83.5%, p = 0.029), and more likely to have private insurance (82.0% vs. 69.4%, p = 0.009). Every 1-point increase on Benefits of CGM scale was associated with 2.8 times greater odds of being an Optimizer (OR = 2.82, 95% CI 1.548–5.132, p = 0.001), and every 1-point increase on the Burdens of CGM scale was associated with a 52% decrease in odds (OR = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.283–0.800, p = 0.005), with final logistic regression model (including only these two predictors) explaining 22.3% of variance. Conclusion CGM Optimizing adolescents were more likely to perceive higher benefit and lower burden of CGM. Practical implications Nurse-led interventions to promote benefits of CGM and mitigate burden may help youth increase adherence with CGM to achieve glycemic benefit.