Abstract
Background: Through continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems, it has become possible to obtain a more dynamic view of glucose levels throughout the day in real-time. This has allowed for the achievement of higher quality care goals. However, there is limited guidance on how to respond to real-time CGM data and specifically on what corrective actions to take based on the direction of trend arrows.
Purpose: To provide a safe and practical approach to interpret trend arrows
Methodology: A descriptive literature search was conducted in the Scopus, Scielo, Lilacs and PubMed databases, and articles pertinent to the proposed objectives were selected. Through regular in-person and virtual meetings, the available methodologies in the medical literature for the implementation of trend arrows were analyzed, and together with the personal experience of the authors, final implantation conclusions were reached
Results: To ensure adequate interpretation and implementation of trend arrows, it is recommended to 1) individualize who benefits from the use of diabetes technology; 2) use an app that facilitates calculations; 3) ensure proper monitoring of CGM records; 4) determine the time of day (scenarios) when trend arrows will be used
Conclusions: The incorporation of trend arrows in real-time decision-making is essential to ensure high-quality overall glycemic control, thereby guaranteeing a longer time within the therapeutic range. There is a lack of intervention studies that evaluate the implementation of this strategy in different clinical outcomes.
References
Coronel-Restrepo N, Ramirez-Rincón A, Palacio A, Delgado MR, Botero JF. Interpretación del monitoreo continuo de glucosa: una visión práctica. Rev Colomb Endocrinol Diabet Metab. 2023;10(1):e764. https://doi.org/10.53853/encr.10.1.764
Danne T, Nimri R, Battelino T, Bergenstal RM, Close KL, DeVries JH, et al. International consensus on use of continuous glucose monitoring. Diabetes Care. 2017;40(12):1631-40. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc17-1600
Battelino T, Danne T, Bergenstal RM, Amiel SA, Beck R, Biester T, et al. Clinical targets for continuous glucose monitoring data interpretation: recommendations from the International Consensus on Time in Range. Diabetes Care. 2019;42(8):1593-603. https://doi.org/10.2337/dci19-0028
Monnier L, Colette C, Owens D. Glucose variability and diabetes complications: risk factor or biomarker? Can we disentangle the “Gordian Knot”? Diabetes Metab. 2021;47(3):101225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diabet.2021.101225
Bolinder J, Antuna R, Geelhoed-Duijvestijn P, Kröger J, Weitgasser R. Novel glucose-sensing technology and hypoglycaemia in type 1 diabetes: a multicentre, non-masked, randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2016;388(10057):2254-63. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(16)31535-5
Haak T, Hanaire H, Ajjan R, Hermanns N, Riveline JP, Rayman G. Flash glucose-sensing technology as a replacement for blood glucose monitoring for the management of insulin-treated type 2 diabetes: a multicenter, open-label randomized controlled trial. Diabetes Ther. 2017;8(1):55-73. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13300-016-0223-6
American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee. 6. Glycemic goals and hypoglycemia: standards of care in diabetes - 2024. Diabetes Care. 2024;47(supl. 1):S111-25. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc24-s006
Buitrago-Gómez N, Jimenez-Salazar S, Delgado MR, Botero JF, Ramirez-Rincón A. Perfilando la tecnología en diabetes. Rev Colomb Endocrinol Diabet Metab. 2024;11(1):e852. https://doi.org/10.53853/encr.11.1.852
Botero JF, Vásquez LM, Blanco VM, Cuesta DP, Ramírez-Rincón A, Bedoya J, et al. The effectiveness of a comprehensive diabetes program for glycemic control and adherence, and the selection of candidates for sensor-augmented insulin pump therapy. Endocrinol Diabetes Nutr. 2021;S2530-0164(21):00073-2. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.endinu.2020.11.006
Munshi MN. Continuous glucose monitoring use in older adults for optimal diabetes management. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2023;25(S3):S56-64. https://doi.org/10.1089/dia.2023.0111
Klupa T, Czupryniak L, Dzida G, Fichna P, Jarosz-Chobot P, Gumprecht J, et al. Expanding the role of continuous glucose monitoring in modern diabetes care beyond type 1 disease. Diabetes Ther. 2023;14(8):1241-66. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13300-023-01431-3
Gothong C, Singh LG, Satyarengga M, Spanakis EK. Continuous glucose monitoring in the hospital: an update in the era of COVID-19. Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes. 2022;29(1):1-9. https://doi.org/10.1097/med.0000000000000693
Moström P, Ahlén E, Imberg H, Hansson PO, Lind M. Adherence of self-monitoring of blood glucose in persons with type 1 diabetes in Sweden. BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care. 2017;5(1):e000342. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjdrc-2016-000342
Gonder-Frederick L, Cox DJ, Pohl SL, Carter W. Patient blood glucose monitoring: use, accuracy, adherence, and impact. Ann Behav Med. 1984;6(1):12-6. https://doi.org/10.1093/abm/6.1.12
Sagar RC, Abbas A, Ajjan R. Glucose monitoring in diabetes: from clinical studies to real-world practice. Pract Diabetes. 2019;36(2):57-62. https://doi.org/10.1002/pdi.2215
Freckmann G, Link M, Westhoff A, Kamecke U, Pleus S, Haug C. Prediction quality of glucose trend indicators in two continuous tissue glucose monitoring systems. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2018;20(8):550-6. https://doi.org/10.1089/dia.2018.0112
Fonseca VA, Grunberger G, Anhalt H, Bailey TS, Blevins T, Garg SK, et al. Continuous glucose monitoring: a consensus conference of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and American College of Endocrinology. Endocr Pract. 2016;22(8):1008-21. https://doi.org/10.4158/ep161392.cs
Ziegler R, von Sengbusch S, Kröger J, Schubert O, Werkmeister P, Deiss D, et al. Therapy adjustments based on trend arrows using continuous glucose monitoring systems. J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2019;13(4):763-73. https://doi.org/10.1177/1932296818822539
Seget S, Tekielak A, Rusak E, Jarosz-Chobot P. Commercial hybrid closed-loop systems available for a patient with type 1 diabetes in 2022. Pediatr Endocrinol Diabetes Metab. 2023;29(1):30-6. https://doi.org/10.5114/pedm.2023.126359
Kruger DF, Edelman SV, Hinnen DA, Parkin CG. Reference guide for integrating continuous glucose monitoring into clinical practice. Diabetes Educ. 2019;45(supl. 1):3S-20S. https://doi.org/10.1177/0145721718818066
Huhn F, Lange K, Jördening M, Ernst G. Real-world use of continuous glucose monitoring systems among adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes: reduced burden, but little interest in data analysis. J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2022;17(4):943-50. https://doi.org/10.1177/19322968221081216
Hirsch IB, Abelseth J, Bode BW, Fischer JS, Kaufman FR, Mastrototaro J, et al. Sensor-augmented insulin pump therapy: results of the first randomized treat-to-target study. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2008;10(5):377-83. https://doi.org/10.1089/dia.2008.0068
JDRF CGM Study Group. JDRF randomized clinical trial to assess the efficacy of real-time continuous glucose monitoring in the management of type 1 diabetes: research design and methods. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2008;10(4):310-21. https://doi.org/10.1089/dia.2007.0302
Diabetes Research In Children Network (DirecNet) Study Group, Buckingham B, Xing D, Weinzimer S, Fiallo-Scharer R, Kollman C, et al. Use of the DirecNet Applied Treatment Algorithm (DATA) for diabetes management with a real-time continuous glucose monitor (the FreeStyle Navigator). Pediatr Diabetes. 2008;9(2):142-7. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1399-5448.2007.00301.x
Scheiner G. Practical CGM: improving patient outcomes through continuous glucose monitoring. Virginia, Estados Unidos: American Diabetes Association; 2015. 72 p.
Pettus J, Edelman SV. Recommendations for Using Real-Time Continuous Glucose Monitoring (rtCGM) data for insulin adjustments in type 1 diabetes. J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2017;11(1):138-47. https://doi.org/10.1177/1932296816663747
Aleppo G, Laffel LM, Ahmann AJ, Hirsch IB, Kruger DF, Peters A, et al. A practical approach to using trend arrows on the Dexcom G5 CGM System for the management of adults with diabetes. J Endocr Soc. 2017;1(12):1445-60. https://doi.org/10.1210/js.2017-00388
Klonoff DC, Kerr D. A simplified approach using rate of change arrows to adjust insulin with real-time continuous glucose monitoring. J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2017;11(6):1063-9. https://doi.org/10.1177/1932296817723260
Ziegler R, Freckmann G, Heinemann L. Boluses in insulin therapy. J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2017;11(1):165-71. https://doi.org/10.1177/1932296816653142
Walsh J, Roberts R, Bailey TS, Heinemann L. Bolus advisors: sources of error, targets for improvement. J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2018;12(1):190-8. https://doi.org/10.1177/1932296817718213
Pettus J, Price DA, Edelman SV. How patients with type 1 diabetes translate continuous glucose monitoring data into diabetes management decisions. Endocr Pract. 2015;21(6):613-20. https://doi.org/10.4158/ep14520.or
Pettus J, Edelman SV. Differences in use of glucose rate of change (ROC) arrows to adjust insulin therapy among individuals with type 1 and type 2 diabetes who use continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2016;10(5):1087-93. https://doi.org/10.1177/1932296816639069
Bailey TS, Grunberger G, Bode BW, Handelsman Y, Hirsch IB, Jovanovi? L, et al. American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and American College of Endocrinology 2016 Outpatient Glucose Monitoring Consensus Statement. Endocr Pract. 2016;22(2):231-61. https://doi.org/10.4158/ep151124.cs
Ajjan RA, Cummings MH, Jennings P, Leelarathna L, Rayman G, Wilmot EG. Accuracy of flash glucose monitoring and continuous glucose monitoring technologies: implications for clinical practice. Diab Vasc Dis Res. 2018;15(3):175-84. https://doi.org/10.1177/1479164118756240
Gómez AM, Henao Carrillo DC, Muñoz Velandia OM. Devices for continuous monitoring of glucose: update in technology. Med Devices. 2017;10:215-24. https://doi.org/10.2147/mder.s110121
Pleus S, Schoemaker M, Morgenstern K, Schmelzeisen-Redeker G, Haug C, Link M, et al. Rate-of-change dependence of the performance of two CGM systems during induced glucose swings. J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2015;9(4):801-7. https://doi.org/10.1177/1932296815578716
Battelino T, Alexander CM, Amiel SA, Arreaza-Rubin G, Beck RW, Bergenstal RM, et al. Continuous glucose monitoring and metrics for clinical trials: an international consensus statement. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2023;11(1):42-57. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2213-8587(22)00319-9
Ajjan RA, Cummings MH, Jennings P, Leelarathna L, Rayman G, Wilmot EG. Optimising use of rate-of-change trend arrows for insulin dosing decisions using the FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system. Diab Vasc Dis Res. 2019;16(1):3-12. https://doi.org/10.1177/1479164118795252
Ekhlaspour L, Town M, Raghinaru D, Lum JW, Brown SA, Buckingham BA. Glycemic outcomes in baseline hemoglobin A1C subgroups in the international diabetes closed-loop trial. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2022;24(8):588-91. https://doi.org/10.1089/dia.2021.0524
Patton SR, DeLurgio SA, Fridlington A, Cohoon C, Turpin AL, Clements MA. Frequency of mealtime insulin bolus predicts glycated hemoglobin in youths with type 1 diabetes. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2014;16(8):519-23. https://doi.org/10.1089/dia.2013.0356

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Copyright (c) 2025 Revista Colombiana de Endocrinología, Diabetes & Metabolismo

