Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGMs) in the Management of Diabetes: Boon or Bane?
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Abstract
Diabetes mellitus continues to be one of the greatest global public health challenges, affecting more than 589 million adults worldwide, with the prevalence expected to rise substantially over the coming decades. Achieving optimal glycaemic control while minimizing hypoglycaemia remains the cornerstone of diabetes management. For decades, self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) using finger-prick testing served as the standard method for assessing glycaemic status. However, the advent of Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) systems has fundamentally transformed diabetes care by providing dynamic, real-time insights into glucose fluctuations. Despite their revolutionary potential, CGMs have also raised concerns regarding accessibility, affordability, data overload, and clinical interpretation1. This raises an important question: Are CGMs truly a boon, or do they present challenges that outweigh their benefits?
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