ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The 2022 American Diabetes Association (ADA) Standards of Care recommends considering use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) for insulin-managed diabetes mellitus (DM), but equitable access remains challenging. This study evaluates socioeconomic and demographic metrics associated with CGM use. METHODS: RStudio 2021.09.1+372 was utilized to perform uni- and bivariable analysis, as well as binomial logistic regression modeling for categorical CGM use (yes/no) on the most recent cross-section from the Type 1 Diabetes Exchange (T1DX) Registry 2016-2018 cohort (n = 22 418). RESULTS: Compared with White Non-Hispanic participants, Black Non-Hispanic (OR = 0.45, CI = 0.36-0.57, P < 0.001) and American Indian/Alaskan Native individuals (OR = 0.33, CI = 0.14-0.70, P = 0.008) had lower odds of CGM use. Compared with private insurance, government insurance had reduced odds of CGM use (OR = 0.59, CI = 0.52-0.66, P < 0.001). Individuals earning $100,000 or more were twice as likely to use CGMs (OR = 2.06, CI = 1.75-2.45, P < 0.001) compared with those earning <$25,000 annually. Subgroup analysis based on income bracket demonstrated that government insured individuals earning <$25,000 annually were the least likely to use CGMs (OR = 0.44, CI = 0.32-0.61, P < 0.001), as compared with private insurance. CONCLUSIONS: T1DX Registry data demonstrate that CGM use follows the inverse care law, with health technology utilization inversely related to disease burden. Federal policies promoting CGM use in Medicare and Medicaid populations can facilitate the ADA's recommendation for patients with insulin-managed diabetes mellitus.
