Dexcom study finds G7 glucose monitor improves blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes patients

Medical device maker Dexcom has reported positive results from a new study showing that its G7 continuous glucose monitor (CGM) helped improve blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes who do not use insulin.

The findings were presented on Saturday at the annual meeting of the American Diabetes Association and suggest that CGMs could play a larger role in managing type 2 diabetes beyond insulin-dependent patients.

Dexcom's G7 glucose monitor proved to be effective

The 26-week study involved 283 adults with type 2 diabetes who were not using insulin. Half of the participants were assigned to use Dexcom's G7 continuous glucose monitor, while the remaining participants relied on traditional self-monitoring of blood glucose through finger-prick testing. Most participants were also taking commonly prescribed diabetes medications, including metformin, GLP-1 receptor agonists and SGLT2 inhibitors.

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According to the study, participants using the Dexcom G7 achieved an average 1.6 per cent reduction in blood sugar levels after 26 weeks. This represented a 0.9 per cent greater reduction compared with participants who relied on conventional self-monitoring methods.

Benefits of G7 device

The study also found that the benefits of the G7 device were enhanced when used alongside existing diabetes treatments. Among participants taking GLP-1 medications, those using the Dexcom G7 recorded a 1.4 per cent decline in blood sugar levels, compared with a 0.2 per cent reduction among those in the control group.

"Our hope is that this will substantially influence (the standard of care) and it'll improve access for all people with type 2, including those not on insulin to CGMs," said Tamara Oser, professor at the University of Colorado Anschutz and the study's principal investigator.

Wearable devices track blood sugar levels

Continuous glucose monitors are wearable devices that continuously track blood sugar levels without requiring routine finger-prick tests. Their popularity has grown in recent years due to greater awareness, expanding insurance coverage and ease of use.

Dexcom Chief Executive Officer Jake Leach said the findings highlight both the clinical and economic benefits of CGMs for a broader patient population.

"...it proves without a doubt that there's significant benefit here for these users. I think both the clinical community as well as the health care system and payers, they will, with this type of result, recognize both the health benefits, as well as the economic benefit," Leach told Reuters.