ABSTRACT OF THE WEEK

Journal of veterinary internal medicine/ American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Volume 35 | Issue 4 (July 2021)

Validation of a flash glucose monitoring system in outpatient diabetic cats.

J Vet Intern Med. July 2021;35(4):1703-1712.

Emily K Shea¹, Rebecka S Hess²

¹ Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.; ² Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:Interstitial glucose (IG) concentration measurement using a flash glucose monitoring system (FGMS) is a noninvasive, affordable, and informative method to regulate patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) but has not been fully validated in outpatient cats with DM.

OBJECTIVES:To further validate the FreeStyle Libre FGMS in outpatient diabetic cats.

ANIMALS:Eight client-owned cats with DM.

METHODS:Prospective observational validation study. Tissue glue was used to attach the sensor to the cat. Lin's concordance correlation coefficient (ρ_c ) was used to compare IG concentrations measured by the FGMS to blood glucose concentrations measured using an automated biochemistry analyzer (ABA) and point-of-care glucometer (POCG).

RESULTS:Data from 15 sensor placements in 8 cats were analyzed. Paired IG and ABA glucose concentrations (139 samples) had excellent correlation (ρ_c = 0.96) as did IG and POCG glucose concentrations (142 samples, ρ_c = 0.92). Sensor failure or displacement were recorded for 12/15 (80%) sensor placements. Median time of sensor activity was 7 days (range, 2-13 days).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE:In outpatient cats with DM, the FGMS-measured IG concentration correlated well with ABA-measured blood glucose concentration, but a high rate of sensor failures was observed.

Keywords

FreeStyle Libre; continuous glucose monitoring; diabetes mellitus; feline; interstitial glucose; tissue glue;

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