Commencement of flash glucose monitoring is associated with a decreased rate of depressive disorders among persons with diabetes (FLARE-NL7)

• Published in: BMJ open diabetes research & care 2022-06, Vol.10 (3), p.e002769
• Main Authors: Bakker, Julia J, Lameijer, Annel, Flores Guerrero, Jose L, Bilo, Henk J G, van Dijk, Peter R
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Angina pectoris; Comorbidity; continuous glucose monitoring; depression; Diabetes; diabetes mellitus, type 1; diabetes mellitus, type 2; Emerging Technologies, Pharmacology and Therapeutics; Glucose monitoring; Insulin; Mental depression; Mental health; Quality of life; Questionnaires; Regression analysis; Transient ischemic attack; Variables; Womens health
• ISSN: 2052-4897; 2052-4897
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjdrc-2022-002769

IntroductionDepressive disorders are more common among persons with diabetes, as compared with persons without diabetes. The burden of glucose management is known to associate with depressive symptoms. This study aims to assess the effects of commencement of FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring (FSL-FGM) on the mental health status of persons with diabetes.Research design and methodsPost-hoc analysis of data from a 1-year prospective nationwide FSL-FGM registry. Participants who used FSL-FGM for 12 months and completed the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey version 2 (SF-12v2) questionnaires at baseline, 6 and 12 months were included. An SF-12v2 Mental Component Score (MCS) of ≤45 was used as a cut-off to discriminate between persons with and without a depressive disorder.ResultsA total of 674 patients were included with a mean age of 48.2 (±15.8) years, 51.2% men, 78.2% type 1 diabetes and baseline HbA1c 62.8 (±13.4) mmol/mol (7.9±1.2%). At baseline, 235 (34.9%) persons had an SF-12 MCS ≤45 while after 6 and 12 months these numbers decreased: 202 (30.0%, p