[Usefulness of Glycemic Control Utilizing CGM and Future Prospects].

Abstract

The maintenance of the QOL by preventing the onset and progression of arteriosclerosis-related complica- tions such as a stroke and myocardial infarction is very important in the treatment of diabetes. However, recent large clinical trials reported that aggressively reducing the HbAlc level by the use of insulin or oral antidiabetic agents increased severe hypoglycemia, resulting in cardiovascular events and deaths. A "good quality of glycemic control" that improves postprandial hyperglycemia without hypoglycemia is required for the treatment of diabetes, and confirmation of the fluctuations in blood glucose for 24 hours using CGM (continuous glucose-monitoring) is now attracting marked attention. The introduction of CGM is use- ful for the patient to understand the effect of drugs and get more motivated for the treatment. Furthermore, real-time CGM provides a value of blood glucose on the spot, resulting in strict glycemic control. A sensor- augmented pump (SAP) was released last year in Japan, and patients have been able to confirm their blood glucose level in real time and adjust the amount of insulin timely. Such a new glucose-monitoring system is emerging. It does not need the drawing of blood from the finger- tip by a puncture needle, requiring only the attachment of a sensor to the outside of the upper arm, and linking a hand-held reader to the sensor could provide cumulative data with a frequency of every 15 min for up to 8 h. We expect such new devices to provide the level of blood glucose in real time to improve therapy. [Review].