[Therapeutic education and continuous glucose monitoring in insulin-treated diabetic patients].

The effectiveness of a specific educational programme involving the use of a real-time glucose-sensor system to improve glucose control was investigated in patients with type 1 diabetes (glucose sensor combined with a portable insulin pump--Paradigm Real Time) and in patients with type 2 diabetes poorly controlled despite insulin therapy (Guardian RT one week per month for 3 months compared to blood glucose self-monitoring). Both studies showed a reduction in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels with the glucose sensor, associated with less symptomatic hypoglycaemic episodes. Despite some technical difficulties (mainly in patients with type 2 diabetes), this approach represents a useful tool for therapeutic education. These promising results justify the initiation of larger studies evaluating glucose sensor use in well selected diabetic patients.