Data show people who use a FreeStyle LibreLink glucose monitor app spend more time in range.
There's a sweet spot for people managing their diabetes.
It's known as Time in Range (TIR) and, in contrast to A1C, TIR is the time each day a person spends in their target glucose range. A1C is a rolling 3-month average.
And TIR is the result of the growing adoption of continuous glucose monitoring systems, including the FreeStyle Libre system of CGMs.
There's more good news: Recent data1 show people who use a smartphone app with their FreeStyle Libre system spend more time in range than with just a reader alone.
Quick Timeout for Time in Range
Let's get a basic TIR foundation:
And now, let's look at that data in The Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology. It showed that people using FreeStyle LibreLink app (versus a reader) experienced an average of 1.2 hours — or 5% — more in range.2
We Have an App for That
Our Apple iPhone app was recently cleared by the Food and Drug Administration to connect compatible smartphones to your FreeStyle Libre 2 sensors to capture glucose readings from the small sensor worn on the back of your upper arm directly to your compatible phone.
This app adds on to our already available digital portfolio which includes FreeStyle LibreLink3 and Libre LinkUp4 apps to help those caring for people managing their diabetes to know what's happening.
Taken together, they represent a silver lining in the cloud of COVID-19 that quickly accelerated demand for more reliable affordable and accessible.5
"Time in Range is a critical metric for diabetes management because it gives that immediate visibility into glucose levels, and it is possible to measure now that we have FreeStyle Libre technology and digital health tools," said Mahmood Kazemi, M.D., divisional vice president, global medical and scientific affairs and chief medical officer, Diabetes Care, Abbott. "This technology helps people living with diabetes make lifestyle choices that are personalized to their own target data."
Simply, as the American Diabetes Association says, "The more time you spend in range, the less likely you are to develop certain diabetes complications."
That's the time you want, in the range you want it.
How sweet it is.
References
1Data on file.
2Kao K, Bradner L, Virdi N. Comparison of Glucose Metrics Between Users of CGM Readers and CGM-Connected Apps, Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology. 2021. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/19322968211044141
3The FreeStyle LibreLink app is only compatible with certain mobile devices and operating systems. Please check our compatibility guide for more information about device compatibility before using the app.
4The LibreLinkUp app is only compatible with certain mobile device and operating systems. Please check www.librelinkup.com for more information about device compatibility before using the app.
5Based on a comparison of list prices of the FreeStyle Libre portfolio versus competitor CGM systems. The actual cost to patients may or may not be lower than other CGM systems, depending on the amount covered by insurance, if any.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
FREESTYLE LIBRE 2 SYSTEM
Failure to use FreeStyle Libre 2 system as instructed in labeling may result in missing a severe low or high glucose event and/or making a treatment decision, resulting in injury. If glucose alarms and readings do not match symptoms or expectations, use a fingerstick value from a blood glucose meter for treatment decisions. Seek medical attention when appropriate or contact Abbott at 855-632-8658 or FreeStyleLibre.us for safety info.
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