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Continuous Glucose Monitoring With Low-Carbohydrate Diet Coaching in Adults With Prediabetes: Mixed Methods Pilot Study.

JMIR diabetes
December 16, 2020
Olivia Yost et al. (9 authors)
Journal ArticleHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to determine patient satisfaction and feasibility of combining continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) with low-carbohydrate diet coaching to drive dietary behavior change in prediabetic patients.

Results Summary

The intervention achieved high satisfaction (93%), induced modest weight loss (1.4 lb) and significant HbA1c reduction (0.71%), and helped participants visualize the impact of carbohydrates, driving dietary changes.

Population

15 adults with prediabetes (HbA1c 5.7%-6.4%, BMI >30 kg/m²).

Effective Dosage

<100 g/day of carbohydrates.

Duration

6 months (with assessments at 3 weeks and 6 months post-intervention).

Interactions

None mentioned.

Extracted Claims (10)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
use of user-friendly continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) with low-carbohydrate diet coaching
no change
feasibility and acceptability
patients with prediabetes
-
is feasible and acceptable to patients
#1
use of user-friendly continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) with low-carbohydrate diet coaching
increase
satisfaction
patients with prediabetes
93%
overall satisfaction rate
#2
use of user-friendly continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) with low-carbohydrate diet coaching
decrease
weight
adults with prediabetes with hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels between 5.7% and 6.4% and a BMI >30 kg/m2
1.4 lb
induced a weight reduction
#3
use of user-friendly continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) with low-carbohydrate diet coaching
decrease
HbA1c levels
adults with prediabetes with hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels between 5.7% and 6.4% and a BMI >30 kg/m2
0.71%
reduction of HbA1c levels
#4
use of user-friendly continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) with low-carbohydrate diet coaching
decrease
percentage of time above glucose goal
adults with prediabetes with hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels between 5.7% and 6.4% and a BMI >30 kg/m2
-
decreased slightly
#5
use of user-friendly continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) with low-carbohydrate diet coaching
decrease
average daily glucose levels
adults with prediabetes with hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels between 5.7% and 6.4% and a BMI >30 kg/m2
-
decreased slightly
#6
use of user-friendly continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) with low-carbohydrate diet coaching
no change
CGM use
patients with prediabetes
-
no major barriers
#7
low-carbohydrate diet
increase
acceptance
patients with prediabetes
-
acceptance
#8
CGMs
increase
dietary changes
patients with prediabetes
-
helped to visualize the impact of carbohydrates on the body, driving dietary changes
#9
combining CGM use with low-carbohydrate diet coaching
increase
prevention of T2DM
patients with prediabetes
-
drives dietary changes, which may ultimately prevent T2DM
#10
Abstract

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is preventable; however, few patients with prediabetes participate in prevention programs. The use of user-friendly continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) with low-carbohydrate diet coaching is a novel strategy to prevent T2DM. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the patient satisfaction and feasibility of an intervention combining CGM use and low-carbohydrate diet coaching in patients with prediabetes to drive dietary behavior change. METHODS: We conducted a mixed methods, single-arm pilot and feasibility study at a suburban family medicine clinic. A total of 15 adults with prediabetes with hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels between 5.7% and 6.4% and a BMI >30 kg/m2 were recruited to participate. The intervention and assessments took place during 3 in-person study visits and 2 qualitative phone interviews (3 weeks and 6 months after the intervention). During visit 1, participants were asked to wear a CGM and complete a food intake and craving log for 10 days. During visit 2, the food intake and craving log along with the CGM results of the participants were reviewed and the participants received low-carbohydrate diet coaching, including learning about carbohydrates and personalized feedback. A second CGM sensor, with the ability to scan and record glucose trends, was placed, and the participants logged their food intake and cravings as they attempted to reduce their total carbohydrate intake (<100 g/day). During visit 3, the participants reviewed their CGM and log data. The primary outcome was satisfaction with the use of CGM and low-carbohydrate diet. The secondary outcomes included feasibility, weight, and HbA1c change, and percentage of time spent in hyperglycemia. Changes in attitudes and risk perception of developing diabetes were also assessed. RESULTS: The overall satisfaction rate of our intervention was 93%. The intervention induced a weight reduction of 1.4 lb (P=.02) and a reduction of HbA1c levels by 0.71% (P<.001) since enrollment. Although not significantly, the percentage of time above glucose goal and average daily glucose levels decreased slightly during the study period. Qualitative interview themes indicated no major barriers to CGM use; the acceptance of a low-carbohydrate diet; and that CGMs helped to visualize the impact of carbohydrates on the body, driving dietary changes. CONCLUSIONS: The use of CGMs and low-carbohydrate diet coaching to drive dietary changes in patients with prediabetes is feasible and acceptable to patients. This novel method merits further exploration, as the preliminary data indicate that combining CGM use with low-carbohydrate diet coaching drives dietary changes, which may ultimately prevent T2DM.

Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy85/10
Quality75/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations23
Citations/Year4.6
Relative Citation Ratio1.49
NIH Percentile64.9%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.95
Weight Score2.36
Normalized Score0.69
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