Disparities in Continuous Glucose Monitor Use Between Children With Type 1 Diabetes Living in Urban and Rural Areas
Authors' conclusion
Geographic location presents a meaningful barrier to access to care for patients living with type 1 diabetes. Further work is needed to identify and address the needs of children and families living in rural areas to improve the care of these patients.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with T1D younger than 18 years, single diabetes program, 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2021
- Participants
- 2,008 patients13,645 visits
- Exposure
- Rural vs urban residence for odds of a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM)-billed visit
- Outcome
- Odds of completing a visit with (+) vs without (-) CGM interpretation, by RUCA designation
Methodological detailssingle-centre, electronic health record data
- Single-centre
- Electronic health record data
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
CGM-billed clinic visit
Small rural towns
- % of CGM+ visits
- 6.3%
- % of CGM- visits
- 8.6%
Isolated rural towns
- % of CGM+ visits
- 2.0%
- % of CGM- visits
- 3.4%
Urban areas
- % of CGM+ visits
- 70.0%
- % of CGM- visits
- 67.2%
% of CGM+ visits
Small rural towns6.3%
Isolated rural towns2.0%
Urban areas70.0%
% of CGM- visits
Small rural towns8.6%
Isolated rural towns3.4%
Urban areas67.2%
Each group vs urban areasAdjusted odds ratio (95% CI)
Small rural towns31% lower odds
0.69(0.51–0.94)
Isolated rural towns49% lower odds
0.51(0.28–0.92)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
- Significant differences in CGM-billed visits by neighborhood deprivation, race/ethnicity and insurance payor
Original publication
Disparities in Continuous Glucose Monitor Use Between Children With Type 1 Diabetes Living in Urban and Rural Areas. Diabetes Care. Published 31 October 2023. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →