Emergent technologies applied to diabetes: what do we need to integrate continuous glucose monitoring into daily practice? Where the long-term use of continuous glucose monitoring stands in 2011.

The earliest continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices did not permit real-time readouts of glucose measurements. Instead, they were used to determine the glucose profile of patients in "real life" and as educational tools. In contrast, the latest real-time devices, whether linked or not to an insulin pump, give the patient access to glucose measurements and incorporate alarms that can be set. Thus, they are the newest self-management tools for patients with type 1 diabetes requiring an intensive insulin regimen. Some long-term studies in a selected population of patients with type 1 diabetes have shown improvement of glycaemic control as measured by HbA(1c). Although the characteristics of "responsive" patients have yet to be identified, the ability of the patient to use the system on a near-daily basis (about 80% of the time) is a key point. Initial training of the patient by a professional team with expertise in CGM is also of the utmost importance. To date, CGM is not reimbursed by Social Security in France.