Abstract
Abstract
Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is recommended for type 1 diabetes, but the supporting evidence derives almost entirely from high-income settings, and the technology is not routinely available in Kenya’s public sector. This prospective study assessed the feasibility and sustainability of CGM implementation and changes in glycemic control after three months of use in a public-sector pediatric diabetes clinic in Nairobi. Forty patients aged 4 to 25 years, recruited by proportional quota sampling across age bands at Kenyatta National Hospital, used an intermittently scanned sensor system across five visits combining sensor data review, standardized diabetes education and insulin titration. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was measured at baseline and three months, alongside sensor-derived glucose metrics, wear time and diabetes-related admissions. Thirty-eight patients (95%) completed the study; median sensor wear time was 89.0%. Adjusted mean HbA1c fell from 10.82% to 9.42%, a difference of −1.40 percentage points (95% confidence interval −2.07 to −0.68). Time in target range (3.9 to 10.0 mmol/L) rose from 32.4% to 38.0%, and time above 10.0 mmol/L fell from 63.1% to 56.9%. Time below 3.9 mmol/L rose minimally, from 3.7% to 4.2%, while time below 3.0 mmol/L did not increase significantly, by 0.2%. Diabetes-related admissions fell from 7 of 40 in the three months before the study to 1 of 38 by its end. The uncontrolled design and small sample preclude an unbiased effect estimate. Since CGM efficacy is established internationally, these data add local evidence of transferability, which national guidelines and benefit-package decisions require.