Medical Devices
Study Shows Libre CGM Technology Improves Glucose Control in Type 2 Diabetes Patients on Basal Insulin
Study Shows Libre CGM Technology Improves Glucose Control in Type 2 Diabetes Patients on Basal Insulin
Abbott, a global healthcare company, has announced new findings from the FreeDM2 randomized controlled trial (RCT) showing that people with Type 2 diabetes using FreeStyle Libre continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology achieved better glucose management outcomes compared with those relying on traditional fingerstick testing. The results were presented at the 19th International Conference on Advanced Technologies & Treatments for Diabetes (ATTD).
Globally, nearly 63 million people depend on insulin therapy to manage Type 2 diabetes. However, real-world data show that only 18%–30% of people using basal insulin achieve their HbA1c targets, contributing to an estimated $217 billion in annual healthcare costs related to diabetes. The FreeDM2 trial was designed to evaluate whether real-time CGM insights could help individuals on basal insulin better manage their glucose levels.
The study was conducted across 24 clinical sites in the United Kingdom and involved 303 participants with Type 2 diabetes. Researchers compared outcomes between individuals using continuous glucose monitoring and those using traditional self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) through fingerstick tests.
Globally, nearly 63 million people depend on insulin therapy to manage Type 2 diabetes. However, real-world data show that only 18%–30% of people using basal insulin achieve their HbA1c targets, contributing to an estimated $217 billion in annual healthcare costs related to diabetes. The FreeDM2 trial was designed to evaluate whether real-time CGM insights could help individuals on basal insulin better manage their glucose levels.
The study was conducted across 24 clinical sites in the United Kingdom and involved 303 participants with Type 2 diabetes. Researchers compared outcomes between individuals using continuous glucose monitoring and those using traditional self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) through fingerstick tests.
Significant improvements through self-management
After four months, participants using the Abbott FreeStyle Libre CGM system experienced significantly greater improvements in glucose control compared with those using traditional monitoring methods. The CGM group recorded an average HbA1c reduction of 0.6% (p<0.001) and spent approximately 2.5 additional hours per day (a 10.4% increase) within the recommended healthy glucose range of 70–180 mg/dL.
Participants in the study were already receiving basal insulin alongside either an SGLT2 inhibitor or a GLP-1 receptor agonist, indicating that the technology can deliver meaningful benefits even for individuals already using advanced glucose-lowering therapies.
“This study demonstrates the power of real-time glucose information for people with Type 2 diabetes treated with basal insulin,” said Emma Wilmot, MBChB, BSc (Hons), PhD, FRCP, associate professor of diabetes and endocrinology at the University of Nottingham School of Medicine in Nottingham, U.K. and co-lead investigator of the FreeDM2 study.
“Even when people with Type 2 diabetes are already receiving advanced therapies, such as SGLT2 inhibitors or GLP-1 receptor agonists, adding real-time glucose visibility delivered meaningful improvements. People were able to proactively use the insights CGM provided to adjust their diet, basal insulin and activity to deliver better outcomes,” added Lala Leelarathna, MBBS, MSc, PhD, FRCP, associate professor of metabolic medicine at Imperial College London in London, U.K. and co-lead investigator of the FreeDM2 study.
Participants in the study were already receiving basal insulin alongside either an SGLT2 inhibitor or a GLP-1 receptor agonist, indicating that the technology can deliver meaningful benefits even for individuals already using advanced glucose-lowering therapies.
“This study demonstrates the power of real-time glucose information for people with Type 2 diabetes treated with basal insulin,” said Emma Wilmot, MBChB, BSc (Hons), PhD, FRCP, associate professor of diabetes and endocrinology at the University of Nottingham School of Medicine in Nottingham, U.K. and co-lead investigator of the FreeDM2 study.
“Even when people with Type 2 diabetes are already receiving advanced therapies, such as SGLT2 inhibitors or GLP-1 receptor agonists, adding real-time glucose visibility delivered meaningful improvements. People were able to proactively use the insights CGM provided to adjust their diet, basal insulin and activity to deliver better outcomes,” added Lala Leelarathna, MBBS, MSc, PhD, FRCP, associate professor of metabolic medicine at Imperial College London in London, U.K. and co-lead investigator of the FreeDM2 study.
Italian study confirms FreeDM2 findings
A separate interventional study conducted in Italy and also presented at ATTD evaluated 88 adults with Type 2 diabetes using basal insulin therapy in routine clinical practice while using the FreeStyle Libre CGM system. After three months, participants showed improvements in average glucose levels, increased time in the healthy glucose range, and better overall quality of life.
“Across both studies, real-time glucose visibility gives people the understanding they need to make small, informed adjustments throughout the day,” said Mahmood Kazemi, chief medical officer for Abbott's diabetes care business. “In the FreeDM2 study, people made these adjustments on their own. Seeing similar patterns in the Italian study reinforces that the value comes from continuous access to glucose information itself, rather than from any single device feature.”
“Across both studies, real-time glucose visibility gives people the understanding they need to make small, informed adjustments throughout the day,” said Mahmood Kazemi, chief medical officer for Abbott's diabetes care business. “In the FreeDM2 study, people made these adjustments on their own. Seeing similar patterns in the Italian study reinforces that the value comes from continuous access to glucose information itself, rather than from any single device feature.”
Supporting broader access to CGM
In many European countries and other regions, reimbursement policies for CGM technology are primarily limited to people using multiple daily insulin injections, leaving many patients on basal insulin therapy without coverage.
The findings from both the FreeDM2 trial and the Italian study indicate that continuous glucose monitoring can provide clinically meaningful improvements for people with Type 2 diabetes using basal insulin. Researchers say this evidence may help support broader reimbursement and access to CGM technology for this patient population.
The findings from both the FreeDM2 trial and the Italian study indicate that continuous glucose monitoring can provide clinically meaningful improvements for people with Type 2 diabetes using basal insulin. Researchers say this evidence may help support broader reimbursement and access to CGM technology for this patient population.
AbbottContinuous Glucose MonitoringDiabetes Care
