Abbott's Freestyle Libre(R) 2 System Has Positive Impacts on Glucose Levels and Quality of Life
October 06, 2022 at 09:00 am EDT
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A new study published in The New England Journal oMedicine findsds that for adults with Type 1 diabetes and sub-optimal glycemic control, Abbott's FreeStyle Libre(R) 2 glucose monitoring system provided significant reductions in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) compared to self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG), which were sustained for the study duration of 24 weeks.1 Use of the FreeStyle Libre 2 system was also linked to improvements in participant-reported quality of life outcomes, including overall satisfaction and reduction in burden associated with glucose monitoring. After six months, people who used the FreeStyle Libre 2 system reduced their HbA1c levels by an average of 0.8% (8.7% to 7.9%).(1) Lowering HbA1c by this amount can decrease the risk of developing diabetes complication in the future. In comparison, people using SMBG reduced their HbA1c levels by an average of only 0.2% (8.5% to 8.3%).(1) HbA1c provides an estimate of average glucose levels over the preceding three months and is the standard measurement of glycemic control for people with diabetes.(2) Increased HbA1c is associated with a greater risk of developing complications related to diabetes, such as cardiovascular disease, kidney disease and eye problems. The trial included 156 people aged 16 years or older with Type 1 diabetes and HbA1c levels of 7.5% to 11%, none of whom had previously used continuous glucose sensing technology. For 24 weeks, half the participants were randomized to monitor their glucose with the FreeStyle Libre 2 system and the other half with SMBG. The average HbA1c level of participants using the FreeStyle Libre 2 system was 0.3% lower at 12 weeks and 0.5% lower at 24 weeks, statistically significant compared to those using SMBG. FreeStyle Libre users also had a greater likelihood
of reducing their HbA1c by a full percentage point by the end of the study period. They spent an additional 130 minutes per day with glucose levels in the target range (70-180 mg/dL) and 43 minutes per day less time with dangerously low glucose levels (<70 mg/dL). FreeStyle Libre 2 users also reported a positive impact on quality of life, captured by participant-reported answers to the Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire and the Glucose Monitoring Satisfaction Survey. At 24 weeks, these participants reported greater overall treatment satisfaction and reduced burden associated with glucose monitoring.
Abbott Laboratories specializes in the research, development, manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceutical and medical products. Net sales break down by family of products as follows:
- diagnostic systems and instruments (39.1%);
- vascular devices (24.7%): endoprosthetic systems, dilation catheters, arterial closures, etc.;
- nutrition products (12.1%): pediatric nutrition products, nutritional supplements, and dietetic products;
- medicine (8.2%): anesthetics, antiviral products, antibiotics, inhibitors, anti-inflammatories, etc.;
- other (15.9%).
Net sales are distributed geographically as follows: the United States (38.5%), Germany (5.8%), China (5.6%), India (4.4%), Switzerland (4.1%), Japan (3.8%), Netherlands (2.7%) and others (35.1%).
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