98-LB: Efficacy and Clinical Considerations of Flash Glucose Monitoring among Canadian Adults with Diabetes

The FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring (FGM) system was introduced in Canada in 2017. FGM incorporates aspects of conventional blood glucose testing and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). The FreeStyle Libre utilizes a sensor placed on the upper arm to test interstitial glucose levels every fifteen minutes and may be used to obtain a ‘flash’ (real-time) reading. The FreeStyle Libre system is less costly than CGM and may help overcome common barriers to conventional glucose testing, including pain, needle aversion, and inconvenience, but at present there is no public coverage for the product available in Canada. In this study, we investigated the continuation rate of FGM use in patients provided complimentary FreeStyle Libre starter packs, consisting of one reader and two 14-day sensors, and the impact of continued use on glycemic control. More than half (21/40) continued to use the system beyond the trial period. The mean A1C of patients who continued using FGM decreased by 1.14% at three months, compared to an increase of 0.17% in those who did not (p=0.038). Despite small sample size, there was also a trend of decreased basal and bolus insulin requirements in patients continuing use. These results show benefit and support the implementation of public coverage because greater adherence of self-monitoring of blood glucose results in improved glycemic control which ultimately reduces the risk of long-term diabetes associated complications and healthcare costs. Disclosure A. Jazdarehee: None. J.E. Kapeluto: None. M. Pawlowska: None. J. MacKenzie-Feder: None. B. Schroeder: Advisory Panel; Self; Abbott, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., LifeScan Canada, Natesto, Sanofi-Aventis. Speaker’s Bureau; Self; AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly and Company, Merck & Co., Inc., Novo Nordisk Inc. A. White: Advisory Panel; Self; Abbott, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Lilly Diabetes, Novo Nordisk Inc., Sanofi. Speaker’s Bureau; Self; Merck & Co., Inc. Other Relationship; Self; Diabetes Canada.