Factory-Calibrated Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems in Type 1 Diabetes: Accuracy during In-Clinic Exercise and Home Use

Abstract

Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) are valuable tools for improving glycemic control, yet their accuracy might be influenced by physical activity. This study sought to assess the accuracy of the three latest factory-calibrated CGM systems available in Europe at the time the study was conducted, both during aerobic exercise and in typical daily scenarios. The accuracy evaluation, based on metrics such as the median absolute relative difference (MARD) and point and rate error-grid analyses (PEGA and REGA), involved 13 adults with type 1 diabetes. Participants wore all sensors during a 1 h in-clinic exercise session followed by a subsequent 3-day home period, with blood glucose measurements serving as reference values in both contexts. During exercise, no statistically significant differences in MARD were observed (Dexcom G6: 12.6%, Guardian 4: 10.7%, and Freestyle Libre 2: 17.2%; p = 0.31), and similarly, no significant differences emerged in PEGA-zone-AB (100%, 100%, 96.8%; p = 0.37). Nevertheless, Freestyle Libre 2 showed comparatively diminished accuracy in estimating glucose trends during exercise (REGA-zone-AB: 100%, 93.0%, 73.3%; p = 0.0003). In the home environment, Freestyle Libre 2 exhibited a significantly higher MARD when compared to the other systems (10.2%, 11.9%, 16.7%, p = 0.02). Overall, Dexcom G6 and Guardian 4 demonstrated superior accuracy in both exercise and daily life scenarios compared to Freestyle Libre 2.

Keywords

• type 1 diabetes
• continuous glucose monitoring
• exercise
• accuracy