Experience with flash glucose monitoring: Impact on glycemic control and quality of life in type 1 diabetes within a public healthcare program

Flash glucose monitoring (FGM) systems provide real-time interstitial glucose readings and offer a reliable alternative to capillary self-monitoring of blood glucose. This technology may improve diabetes management and quality of life (QoL) for individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus. This prospective cohort study employed both qualitative and quantitative approaches to assess patient satisfaction, perceived user experience, glycemic control metrics, and QoL among adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus newly enrolled in the Federal District's public FGM program in Brazil. Participants completed questionnaires, including the Brazilian version of the Diabetes Quality of Life Measure, at baseline and after 3 months of FGM use. Of the 83 enrolled patients, 69 completed the study, of whom 14 were excluded because of incomplete follow-up questionnaires. After 3 months of FGM use, the mean time in range was 68.96% and the mean glucose management indicator was 6.69%. A coefficient of variation of ≥ 36% was observed in 60.9% of the participants, with an average sensor scan frequency of 14.27 scans/day. The mean age was 33.8 years (SD = 9.4), and 50.7% of participants were female. Participants reported higher satisfaction with FGM than with self-monitoring of blood glucose, citing perceived improvements in comfort, practicality, diabetes management, and overall QoL. However, while QoL scores improved slightly after 3 months of FGM use, these changes were not statistically significant. FGM use was associated with high patient satisfaction and positive experiential feedback. Although QoL outcomes did not change significantly, the findings suggest perceived benefits in diabetes self-management among users.