Utilisation of blood glucose test strips in insulin-requiring people with diabetes mellitus using continuous glucose monitoring in Saxony-Anhalt : analysis of health insurance data

Abstract

Aims: Continuous glucose measurement (CGM) systems are increasingly utilised by people with diabetes mellitus (DM) and less is known about usage behaviour. Therefore, this study aims to analyse additionally utilisation of blood glucose measurement (BGM) for insurants who are using CGM. Methods: The study used secondary data, health claims data from the AOK Saxony-Anhalt (Germany), from 2016 to 2021, analysing a sample of 52,296 individuals with insulin-requiring DM. Results: Nearly all CGM users reduced their utilisation of BGM test strips. 2,306 persons with CGM long-time utilisation, about half showed a mean usage behaviour, nearly one third did not use test strips anymore, about 8 % stopped using CGM, 9 % were intense users. A high test strip utilisation beside CGM was associated with younger age, T1DM, a high number of test strip before starting CGM, no contact with a general practitioner, and no enrolment in a disease management program. Conclusions: Great differences in reductions and usage behaviour was revealed between insurants. The results can be used to better identify and offer more tailored CGM to people with DM, and to better tailor CGM trainings.