Abbott's Freestyle Libre cuts diabetic ketoacidosis-related hospitalisations: study

Abbott said Tuesday that study data presented at the American Diabetes Association (ADA) scientific sessions showed for the first time that use of its FreeStyle Libre continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system "dramatically" decreased diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)-related hospitalisations. Ronan Roussel, lead author for the RELIEF study, remarked that the findings "strongly support our hypothesis that use of the FreeStyle Libre technology enables people to identify and reduce hyperglycaemia, and in turn, limit DKA." He added "these data are suggestive of significant, long-term health benefits and cost savings from use of Abbott's sensor-based glucose monitoring system."

In the RELIEF study, researchers assessed nationwide reimbursement claims data in France of 74,158 patients with diabetes, including 33,203 people with type 1 diabetes and 40,955 people with type 2 diabetes.

Rates down as much as 52%

Results showed that FreeStyle Libre was associated with annual DKA rates dropping by 52% and 47%, respectively, in participants with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The greatest reductions in DKA-related hospitalisations occurred in patients who did not conduct self-monitoring blood glucose testing in the year prior to FreeStyle Libre use, with this subgroup seeing declines of 60% and 51%, respectively, depending on whether they had type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Meanwhile, people with the most regular use of self-monitoring blood glucose testing, defined as more than five test strips reimbursed per day, also experienced marked reductions in hospitalisations, at 59% and 52%, respectively.

Other data recently presented at the ADA scientific sessions showed that FreeStyle Libre was also associated with a significant reduction in HbA1c levels in patients with type 2 diabetes, regardless of whether they were on long-acting insulin or non-insulin therapy.

Earlier this week, the FDA cleared Abbott's next-generation FreeStyle Libre 2 integrated CGM system for people aged four years and older. For related analysis, see The Wider View: Libre 2 clearance a boon for Abbott, a lesson for others.