Results from the REFLECT studies show that Libre CGM is associated with a significant reduction in the risk of hospitalization for heart complications in people with diabetes.
Data demonstrated that CGM can help lessen the severity of cardiovascular complications in those with type 1 diabetes. This rang true regardless of prior low blood sugar events or heart disease-related hospitalizations.
Findings also showed a similar reduction for type 2 users of Libre technology on insulin.
Abbott says people with both types of diabetes are 2-4 times more likely than someone without diabetes to develop heart disease. For those with diabetes, REFLECT findings suggest that Libre use could also potentially lead to lower healthcare costs. It could achieve this by reducing hospital admissions.
“These results are remarkable, as we see dual benefits from CGM technology in managing diabetes and its associated cardiovascular complications,” said one of the lead authors of the studies, Dr. David Nathanson of Karolinska University Hospital in Sweden. “CGMs empower people to proactively manage their diabetes and make informed health choices through real-time, constant feedback on their glucose levels. This data shows that using CGMs is linked with significantly reduced hospitalizations related to heart issues, which can have a significant impact on patients, their families and the healthcare system by easing medical, emotional and financial burdens.”
More about the Abbott REFLECT study
REFLECT considered a large range of cardiovascular disease-related conditions. Those included non-fatal heart attack, non-fatal stroke, coronary artery disease, heart failure, AFib and cardiovascular death. Abbott said all of these conditions commonly affect people with diabetes.
Findings from REFLECT also revealed that the risk of hospitalizations for cardiovascular disease went down by 80% for those with type 1 with no prior history of cardiovascular disease when using the Libre biowearable technology. It compared those subjects to those who used a traditional blood glucose monitor. For those with a prior history of cardiovascular disease, hospitalization risk reduced by 49%.
The studies, funded by Abbott, used data from the Swedish National Diabetes Register (NDR). One of the largest and most comprehensive diabetes registers in the world, it represents about 90% of all patients with diabetes in Sweden.
Abbott said the studies assessed three things. They looked at the impact of intermittently scanned CGM versus blood glucose monitoring. To do this, investigators evaluated HbA1c levels and hospitalizations for those with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes.
Second, the studies looked at the impact of CGM versus blood glucose monitoring on hospitalization rates for metabolic and vascular complications and HbA1c levels for adults with type 1 diabetes.
Third, REFLECT evaluated the risk of cardiovascular complications after severe hypoglycemia in adults with type 1 diabetes. It looked at the risk of post-severe hypoglycemia cardiovascular complications for CGM users versus blood glucose monitoring.
“These data are transformative and show just how valuable FreeStyle Libre technology is for managing both diabetes and heart health, helping millions of people live healthy lives,” said Mahmood Kazemi, M.D., chief medical officer for Abbott’s diabetes care business. “With its heart benefits, Libre makes it easier for people to take control of their health.”
