- Abbott's FreeStyle Libre® technology shows a 78% reduction in cardiovascular hospitalizations for Type 1 diabetes patients with severe low blood sugar episodes.
- Hospitalizations decreased by 80% for Type 1 diabetes patients without prior cardiovascular disease history.
- The technology offers similar benefits for Type 2 diabetes patients on insulin, potentially reducing healthcare costs through fewer hospital admissions.
In a major advancement for diabetes care, Abbott's FreeStyle Libre® continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology has been associated with significant reductions in hospitalizations for heart complications in diabetes patients, according to recent findings from the REFLECT real-world studies. The data reveals that for Type 1 diabetes patients who experienced severe low blood sugar episodes, the use of Libre technology led to a 78% decrease in cardiovascular-related hospitalizations.
For those Type 1 diabetes patients without a history of cardiovascular disease, the studies showed an impressive 80% reduction in hospitalizations. Even patients with a prior history of heart complications saw a 49% reduction when using the technology compared to traditional monitoring methods.
Similar benefits were seen among Type 2 diabetes patients on insulin therapy, highlighting the widespread impact of this technology across different patient populations. Given that diabetes affects approximately 589 million people globally, with patients being 2-4 times more likely to develop heart disease, these findings are pivotal.
The REFLECT study encompassed various cardiovascular conditions, including non-fatal heart attacks and strokes, coronary artery disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and cardiovascular death. These findings suggest significant potential for reducing healthcare costs due to decreased hospital admissions, while also helping patients achieve better management of both diabetes and cardiovascular health. Abbott (ABT, Financial) continues its commitment to transforming diabetes care through innovative technology, with the FreeStyle Libre® system used by over 7 million people worldwide.
