Studies link Abbott CGM with reduced hospitalizations

ABBOTT PARK, Ill. – Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre continuous glucose monitoring technology is associated with a significant reduction in the risk of hospitalization for heart complications in people with diabetes, according to the results of the company’s REFLECT real-world studies. 

For the first time, Abbott says, data show that CGM technology can help lessen the severity of cardiovascular complications – regardless of a prior history of low blood sugar events or heart disease-related hospitalizations – in individuals with Type 1 diabetes. Data also show a similar reduction in heart-related hospitalizations for those with Type 2 diabetes on insulin using Libre biowearable technology, the company says. 

"These results are remarkable, as we see dual benefits from CGM technology in managing diabetes and its associated cardiovascular complications," said David Nathanson, MD, PhD, Karolinska University Hospital in Sweden, one of the lead authors of the studies. "CGMs empower people to proactively manage their diabetes and make informed health choices through real-time, constant feedback on their glucose levels. This data shows that using CGMs is linked with significantly reduced hospitalizations related to heart issues, which can have a significant impact on patients, their families and the health care system by easing medical, emotional and financial burdens." 

The data also reveal that the risk of hospitalizations for cardiovascular disease was reduced by 80% among people with Type 1 diabetes with no prior history of cardiovascular disease when using the Libre biowearable technology compared to those who used a traditional blood glucose monitor. For individuals with a prior history of cardiovascular disease, the risk of hospitalizations was reduced by 49%. 

The REFLECT studies, funded by Abbott, were real-world retrospective studies conducted using data from the Swedish National Diabetes Register (NDR), one of the largest and most comprehensive diabetes registers in the world representing approximately 90% of all patients with diabetes in Sweden. 

The REFLECT research considered a range of cardiovascular-disease related conditions including non-fatal heart attack, non-fatal stroke, coronary artery disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation and cardiovascular death – conditions commonly seen in people with diabetes.7 

"I regularly treat people with diabetes who have problems with their blood vessels, resulting in heart attacks, strokes and amputations," said Ramzi Ajjan, M.D., professor of Metabolic Medicine at University of Leeds and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. "These blood vessel problems, known collectively as cardiovascular disease, remain the main causes of ill health and death in people with diabetes. I am very excited to see data that show significant reduction in cardiovascular disease-related hospital admissions. It's great to see the clear, positive impact of FreeStyle Libre technology on cardiovascular outcomes, making diabetes management more effective and improving the health of our patients." 

The studies, published between October 2024 and April 2025, assessed: 

1. The impact of intermittently scanned CGM versus blood glucose monitoring on HbA1c levels and hospitalizations in adults with insulin-treated Type 2 diabetes; 
2. The impact of intermittently scanned CGM versus blood glucose monitoring on hospitalization rates for metabolic and vascular complications and HbA1c levels for adults with Type 1 diabetes; and 
3. The risk of cardiovascular complications after severe hypoglycemia in adults with Type 1 diabetes, and the risk of post-severe hypoglycemia cardiovascular complications for intermittently scanned CGM users versus blood glucose monitoring users.