Wearable Diabetes Technology for Hospitalized People With Diabetes and End-Stage Kidney Disease, Peripartum State, and Steroid Use.

Abstract

Inpatient hyperglycemia remains a challenge, as conventional insulin regimens often lead to both hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia. Traditional glucose monitoring methods, such as point-of-care testing, fail to detect diurnal and nocturnal glycemic fluctuations, contributing to suboptimal control. This review examines the effectiveness of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and automated insulin delivery (AID) systems in managing diabetes in hospitalized patients, including those with additional challenges such as end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), pregnancy, and steroid use. In patients with ESKD, CGM has demonstrated reliable glucose measurements and improved glycemic control, particularly in those undergoing hemodialysis. It has been shown to increase time in range (TIR) and reduce hypoglycemia, with clinical accuracy verified in multiple studies. Existing evidence shows that AID systems may offer improved outcomes in this population, with increased TIR and reduced glycemic variability compared with conventional insulin therapy. Continuous glucose monitor use has been beneficial for maternal glycemic control in pregnancy, leading to lower HbA1c levels, increased TIR, reduced maternal hypoglycemia, reduced neonatal hypoglycemia, and admissions to intensive care. Limited studies have evaluated AID system use during labor. In addition, CGM helps identify postprandial hyperglycemia in patients with glucocorticoid-induced hyperglycemia, which is crucial for managing glucose fluctuations. Studies in patients receiving glucocorticoids have shown that continuous glucose monitoring improves glycemic control without significantly increasing hypoglycemic events. In conclusion, limited studies have shown the role of CGM and AID systems and their effects on glycemic outcomes in hospitalized patients with diabetes, particularly those with ESKD, in pregnancy, and those receiving glucocorticoids. These technologies used for glucose monitoring and insulin delivery could offer an alternative method of diabetes management in certain inpatient populations.