Glucose alarms approach with flash glucose monitoring system: a narrative review of clinical benefits
Abstract Attaining an adequate glycemic control has been associated with a better prognosis and with a reduction in the risk of developing long-term microvascular and macrovascular diabetic complications. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) has been shown to improve glycemic control and reduce blood...
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| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13098-025-01797-3 |
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| author | Marcio Krakauer Solange Travassos Melanie Rodacki Monica A. L. Gabbay André G. D. Vianna Mauro Scharf Rodrigo N. Lamounier Denise Reis Franco Levimar Rocha Araújo Luis Eduardo Calliari |
| author_facet | Marcio Krakauer Solange Travassos Melanie Rodacki Monica A. L. Gabbay André G. D. Vianna Mauro Scharf Rodrigo N. Lamounier Denise Reis Franco Levimar Rocha Araújo Luis Eduardo Calliari |
| author_sort | Marcio Krakauer |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Attaining an adequate glycemic control has been associated with a better prognosis and with a reduction in the risk of developing long-term microvascular and macrovascular diabetic complications. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) has been shown to improve glycemic control and reduce blood glucose variability. Furthermore, CGM is associated with greater treatment adherence and higher satisfaction. Hypoglycemia is the most frequent acute complication in individuals with insulin treated diabetes and may limit the achievement of glycemic control. Furthermore, repeated episodes of hypoglycemia, particularly when a severe hypoglycemia event occurs are associated with adverse outcomes. The introduction of glucose alarms improves not only safety of subjects, but also contributes to improve glycemic control. However, depending on the glycemic thresholds, the frequency of alarms could be perceived as excessive, leading to a state of ‘alarm fatigue’, limiting the effective response to the alarms by the individual. The optimization of alarm thresholds tailored to individual needs and preferences can enhance the clinical utility of CGM while minimizing alarm fatigue. When alarms occur, their underlying causes should be investigated to enable appropriate corrections and adjustments. CGM systems equipped with alarms, such as FreeStyle Libre 2, have demonstrated efficacy in reducing hyperglycemia and severe hypoglycemic events, leading to improvements in time in range and quality of life of people with diabetes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-fe24684f26304e8eb8d9cf3edb1851ee |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1758-5996 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome |
| spelling | doaj-art-fe24684f26304e8eb8d9cf3edb1851ee2025-08-20T03:05:07ZengBMCDiabetology & Metabolic Syndrome1758-59962025-07-011711910.1186/s13098-025-01797-3Glucose alarms approach with flash glucose monitoring system: a narrative review of clinical benefitsMarcio Krakauer0Solange Travassos1Melanie Rodacki2Monica A. L. Gabbay3André G. D. Vianna4Mauro Scharf5Rodrigo N. Lamounier6Denise Reis Franco7Levimar Rocha Araújo8Luis Eduardo Calliari9Sociedade Brasileira de DiabetesSociedade Brasileira de DiabetesSociedade Brasileira de DiabetesDiabetes Center, São Paulo Federal UniversitySociedade Brasileira de DiabetesDepartment of Endocrine Diseases, Hospital Nossa Senhora das Graças, Curitiba Diabetes CentreSchool of Medicine, Internal Medicine Department, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) BrazilCPCLIN-Centro de Pesquisas Clínicas–DASAMinas Gerais School of Medical SciencesDepartment of Pediatrics, Santa Casa School of Medical SciencesAbstract Attaining an adequate glycemic control has been associated with a better prognosis and with a reduction in the risk of developing long-term microvascular and macrovascular diabetic complications. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) has been shown to improve glycemic control and reduce blood glucose variability. Furthermore, CGM is associated with greater treatment adherence and higher satisfaction. Hypoglycemia is the most frequent acute complication in individuals with insulin treated diabetes and may limit the achievement of glycemic control. Furthermore, repeated episodes of hypoglycemia, particularly when a severe hypoglycemia event occurs are associated with adverse outcomes. The introduction of glucose alarms improves not only safety of subjects, but also contributes to improve glycemic control. However, depending on the glycemic thresholds, the frequency of alarms could be perceived as excessive, leading to a state of ‘alarm fatigue’, limiting the effective response to the alarms by the individual. The optimization of alarm thresholds tailored to individual needs and preferences can enhance the clinical utility of CGM while minimizing alarm fatigue. When alarms occur, their underlying causes should be investigated to enable appropriate corrections and adjustments. CGM systems equipped with alarms, such as FreeStyle Libre 2, have demonstrated efficacy in reducing hyperglycemia and severe hypoglycemic events, leading to improvements in time in range and quality of life of people with diabetes.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13098-025-01797-3Glucose alarmFlash continuous glucose monitoringDiabetesHyperglycemiaHypoglycemia |
| spellingShingle | Marcio Krakauer Solange Travassos Melanie Rodacki Monica A. L. Gabbay André G. D. Vianna Mauro Scharf Rodrigo N. Lamounier Denise Reis Franco Levimar Rocha Araújo Luis Eduardo Calliari Glucose alarms approach with flash glucose monitoring system: a narrative review of clinical benefits Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome Glucose alarm Flash continuous glucose monitoring Diabetes Hyperglycemia Hypoglycemia |
| title | Glucose alarms approach with flash glucose monitoring system: a narrative review of clinical benefits |
| title_full | Glucose alarms approach with flash glucose monitoring system: a narrative review of clinical benefits |
| title_fullStr | Glucose alarms approach with flash glucose monitoring system: a narrative review of clinical benefits |
| title_full_unstemmed | Glucose alarms approach with flash glucose monitoring system: a narrative review of clinical benefits |
| title_short | Glucose alarms approach with flash glucose monitoring system: a narrative review of clinical benefits |
| title_sort | glucose alarms approach with flash glucose monitoring system a narrative review of clinical benefits |
| topic | Glucose alarm Flash continuous glucose monitoring Diabetes Hyperglycemia Hypoglycemia |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13098-025-01797-3 |
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