Abstract: Introduction: Current recommendations define the need of at least four blood
glucose measurements daily in patients with diabetes mellitus. Continuous glucose monitoring
systems use the glucose sensor, which is implanted under the skin and measures interstitial
glucose every 1-5 minutes, and the measured values are displayed on a display. CGM use is
associated with a number of advantages and disadvantages, but the quality of life of patients
is not unambiguously determined.
Objective: To assess the quality of life in patients with diabetes mellitus using continuous
glucose monitoring systems.
Materials and methods: The study group included 106 patients (60 men, 46 women; mean age
58.23±10.81 years), 21 patients with type 1 DM (on intensified therapy) and 85 patients with
type 2 DM (33 on oral therapy, 31 – on premixed insulin, 21 – on intensified insulin regimen).
The patients were followed for a 16-week period, during the first 4 weeks they carried out
blood glucose monitoring with self-measurement of the latter in an eight-point profile (first
period), and during the following 12 weeks they carried out continuous glucose monitoring
(second period). At the end of the first and second periods, an HbA1c test was performed and
a questionnaire was administered to assess the quality of life.
Results: Comparison of quality of life during the first and second follow-up periods showed a
significant control improvement with the use of a glucose sensor (p<0.05). The improvement
was more pronounced in the group on intensified insulin therapy, regardless of whether it was
type 1 or type 2 diabetes. The level of patients' knowledge of the rules for monitoring glycemic
control did not correlate with the level of their current control according to the relevant
indicator (p=0.23). No difference in results was reported according to age and gender. There
was no difference in glycated hemoglobin levels between the two monitored periods
(7.42±0.44% vs 7.28±0.30%, p=0.32)
Conclusion: Despite conflicting data on quality of life optimization among patients with type
1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus using continuous glucose monitoring systems, our study
confirms the positive effect of CGM on self-confidence, reliability and independence from the
disease, especially in patients using insulin and prone to more frequent hypoglycemic
episodes
Key words: diabetes mellitus, quality of life, glucose sensors

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