Comparing Real-Time Continuous Glucose Monitoring to Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose: Advantages and Limitations for Children and Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes

Objectives We aimed to determine the benefits and drawbacks of real-time continuous glucose monitoring (rtCGM) compared with those of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and their impact on glycemic control, hypo-and hyperglycemic episodes, exercise, quality of life, and psychosocial factors. Methodology This quantitative, comparative, cross-sectional study was conducted between July 2022 and March 2023 at the Pediatric Endocrine Outpatient Clinic, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Saudi Arabia. Data were obtained via a clinical interview with children and adolescents with T1D aged 2-18 years. Results The study involved 121 participants, with 71 (58.7%) male patients and 50 (41.3%) female patients. The participants' mean age was 11.9 +/- 4.4 years. Compared with patients using SMBG, patients using rtCGM demonstrated a more significant decrease in the mean glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level from baseline (7.79 +/- 1.17 vs. 8.92 +/- 1.63, P = 0.001), a reduction in the number of hypoglycemic episodes (85.7% vs. 70.6%, P = 0.028), and stable blood glucose level during exercise (97.2% vs. 76.4%, P = 0.001). Additionally, 65 (92.9%) rtCGM users had undisturbed sleep compared with 22 (43.1%) SMBG users. Approximately 64 (91.4%) rtCGM users reported that the sensor helped decrease their anxiety levels and pain sensations. Conclusions In this novel study in Saudi Arabia, rtCGM demonstrated a significantly better impact than SMBG on glycemic control, hypo-and hyperglycemic episodes, and psychosocial factors in children and adolescents with T1D.