Head-to-Head Comparison Of The Two Currently Available Continuous Monitors

[John Walsh, PA, CDE]

The Dexcom STS and the Paradigm RT continuous monitors are currently available in the U.S. with a prescription. In this study, they are compared head to head while being worn by one person with Type 1 diabetes. Over 33 days, 262 simultaneous readings were compared between a One Touch meter and the two continuous monitors. The meter was used to calibrate both monitors and as the standard against which their accuracy was evaluated.

Is one monitor better than the other? How close are the monitor readings to the Ultra fingerstick readings? Find out by viewing the comparison slideshow (http://www.diabetesnet.com/diabetes_presentations/continuous-monitors-comp.html) or downloading the Powerpoint presentation (http://www.diabetesnet.com/diabetes_presentations/continuous-monitors-comp.ppt).

[Richard]

well done, great read

[purplejellybeans]

I thought it was great to read, and very objectional info for those of us thinking about getting a CGMS. I was however wondering which was A, and which was B? Dex was profiled first so I am assuming that Dex is A, however I could be wrong. Thanks, Jamie

[glove48]

I thought it was great to read, and very objectional info for those of us thinking about getting a CGMS. I was however wondering which was A, and which was B? Dex was profiled first so I am assuming that Dex is A, however I could be wrong. Thanks, Jamie

I believe you are correct. In the pictures the Dexcom was shown with an 'odd number' in the reading but the Paradigm was only shown with even numbers. All of the "B" readings were even, the "A" readings varied from odd to even.

George

[bspickler]

It is unfortunate that we have to guess which is A and which is B. I also guess that A is Dex but why do we have to guess?

[John Walsh, PA, CDE]

It is unfortunate that we have to guess which is A and which is B. I also guess that A is Dex but why do we have to guess?

The main reason for not identifying A or B is that this study was done in ONE PERSON over 33 DAYS. Lots of variables might play a role in the marked performance differences that are seen between the two sensors other than each sensor's accuracy.

A larger study is needed with several subjects and several clinics overseeing the study before any certainty can be obtained. Unfortunately in this type of study, the companies involved are unlikely to allow their names to be released. :(

If you know of anyone who has worn one or two sensors AND done lots of fingersticks to verify the readings, this would be a good place to post the results. We can also assist anyone with the tools needed to do an analysis.

John

[2098R]

I place my bet on "A" as the DexCom.
A large study would cost a healthy dollar to run and I wouldn't want my company's good product to end up in second place, the first of the losers.
I've done some lots of fingerstick comparisons to a "blind" DexCom and we all know our meters vary so much testing from the same sample it gets confusing. The constant readings are fantastic in that it shows one the trends and allows one to correct earlier, but you know that, lol

Whit
a mechanic

[disheartened]

I'm a new member so please redirect me if this question has been asked (and I assume it has been asked a hundred times :).
I've had Type I for 26 years. It has always seemed to me that the primary solution is a continuious blood glucose monitor but the only ones I've heard of last only 2-3 days maximum. I'll save my rant about a lack of such a monitor due to greed for another day. Question: Are these continuous monitors available now? Any special requirements?

[2098R]

Yes they are available. I own the DexCom 3 unit which is good for 3 days per sensor. DexCom have a new one out, the DexCom 7 with a sensor good for 7 days, which I am looking into.

http://dexcom.com/

Whit
type 1 for 41yrs

[disheartened]

I have ordered the DexCom7, so I'm waiting to see if the Insurance Company will pay for it. I've waited 27 years for this so I REALLY hope it works. I've been having a lot of hypo-attacks in the last 2 years.

[Marleen]

I have been wearing a sensor since early January 2008 and since that time I have been working on getting reimbursed. One of my doctor's other patients took the insurance company all the way to the CA Dept of Managed Care, which overturned the insurance company's denials. So it looks as if we are making progress here. Prevention is so much better than crisis management.

[Dx011106]

All of you searching for CGM coverage should check out takeaction.jdrf.org/CGMInsuranceCoverageSurvey

JDRF is hoping to encourage insurance companies to cover this amazing technology.

[ffpmdon]

its got to be dexcom A mini med B
I have a dexcom 7 and my sister has a minimed pice she hates it and its very inaccurate!!!
I love my Dexcom 7 and for the most part it has been on the $$$ for levels in 6 months i have taken my A1c down 2 points from 8.6 to 6.7 all with Dexcom I work as aparamedic/Firefighter and it it worth the $ and time.
also i can get 1 sensor to last about 15-20 days and my record is 28 days on one!!!

[dstreiffert]

I tried a Dexcom Seven for about 6 months last year. I finally gave up on it as it was completely unreliable in my case. Over this period I worked closely with Dexcom customer support. They were very helpful in testing both my BG meter and even replacing the Dexcom system at one point. The system would generally show some correlation to my BGs for a day or so but would eventually go off into never never land often giving me errors of 100 - 150 mg//dl. I finally gave up and the company actually refunded my costs.

I really wanted this to work, which is why I went beyond the try-out period at my own risk. I have been on insulin for 40 years and currently using an insulin pump. I've always believed that maintaining good BG control, along with lots of exercise was the best way to avoid complications. I do not mean to be discouraging to others, but I do think that some words of caution are in order.

Do not trust these things until you are confident that the results actually correlate to your BG meter. I had several instances when the CGM would show my BG dropping to 40 or less, when in fact my BG was rising above 250.

Again, Dexcom was very helpful in trying to resolve my problems. Unfortunately I am one of those for whom this method just does not work.

[Melba86ss]

well done, great read In favor ofhttp://www.cuinsurance.org/sang1.jpg
http://www.cuinsurance.org/sang2.jpg
http://www.cuinsurance.org/sang3.jpg