Abbott's Libre® Technology is First Continuous Glucose Monitor Associated with Reduced Hospitalizations for Heart Complications in People with Diabetes

Rhea-AI Summary

Abbott's FreeStyle Libre® continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology has demonstrated groundbreaking results in reducing cardiovascular disease-related hospitalizations for diabetes patients. The REFLECT real-world studies show a 78% reduction in heart-related hospitalizations for Type 1 diabetes patients with prior severe low blood sugar episodes. For Type 1 diabetes patients with no prior cardiovascular disease history, hospitalizations decreased by 80%, while those with prior history saw a 49% reduction. The technology also showed similar benefits for Type 2 diabetes patients on insulin. This is particularly significant as diabetes affects approximately 589 million people globally, with diabetic patients being 2-4 times more likely to develop heart disease than non-diabetics. The findings suggest that Libre technology could lead to lower healthcare costs through reduced hospital admissions while helping patients better manage both their diabetes and cardiovascular health.

Positive

• 78% reduction in cardiovascular disease-related hospitalizations for Type 1 diabetes patients
• 80% reduction in hospitalizations for Type 1 diabetes patients with no prior cardiovascular disease
• 49% reduction in hospitalizations for patients with prior cardiovascular disease
• Technology shows benefits for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes patients on insulin
• Potential reduction in healthcare costs through decreased hospital admissions

Negative

• None.

Insights

Medical Device Analyst

Abbott's Libre CGM shows 78% reduction in cardiovascular hospitalizations for Type 1 diabetes patients—significant clinical outcome that strengthens Abbott's market position.

The REFLECT real-world studies for Abbott's FreeStyle Libre CGM technology demonstrate remarkable cardiovascular benefits that significantly expand the value proposition of this device beyond traditional glucose monitoring. The data showing a 78% reduction in cardiovascular disease-related hospitalizations for Type 1 diabetes patients with prior severe hypoglycemic episodes represents a breakthrough finding with substantial clinical and economic implications.

What makes this data particularly compelling is the causal link established between the use of Libre technology and improved cardiovascular outcomes across multiple patient populations. For Type 1 diabetes patients with no prior history of cardiovascular disease, the risk reduction reaches an impressive 80%, while those with prior cardiovascular disease still saw a substantial 49% reduction. Similar benefits were observed in Type 2 diabetes patients on insulin therapy.

These findings position Abbott's Libre system as not just a glucose monitoring tool but a comprehensive cardiovascular risk management solution. This expanded clinical utility should strengthen Abbott's case for insurance coverage and reimbursement, potentially accelerating adoption rates. The economic argument is particularly strong, as the technology demonstrates potential cost savings through reduced hospitalizations.

For Abbott, this data represents a significant competitive advantage in the growing CGM market. The dual benefit positioning (glucose management plus cardiovascular protection) creates a powerful differentiation strategy against competitors like Dexcom and Medtronic. This could drive market share gains and potentially expand the addressable market to include patients primarily concerned with cardiovascular risk management rather than just glucose control.

Endocrinologist

Libre CGM's demonstrated 78% reduction in cardiovascular hospitalizations represents a paradigm shift in diabetes management beyond glycemic control to cardiovascular protection.

The REFLECT studies data presents a significant advancement in our understanding of how continuous glucose monitoring can impact broader health outcomes for diabetes patients. The 78% reduction in cardiovascular hospitalizations for Type 1 diabetes patients with prior severe hypoglycemia is clinically meaningful and challenges our current approach to diabetes management.

The findings demonstrate a clear mechanism-outcome relationship between improved glycemic control through real-time monitoring and reduced cardiovascular complications. This is particularly noteworthy for Type 1 diabetes, where cardiovascular risk has been historically underappreciated compared to Type 2 diabetes. The data confirming similar benefits in Type 2 patients on insulin further amplifies the clinical relevance.

What's most striking from an endocrinology perspective is the magnitude of benefit across different patient subgroups. An 80% risk reduction in those without prior cardiovascular disease suggests powerful preventive potential, while the 49% reduction in those with existing cardiovascular disease indicates significant secondary prevention benefits.

These results could fundamentally alter treatment algorithms and clinical practice guidelines. Current diabetes management protocols focus primarily on HbA1c targets and hypoglycemia prevention. This data suggests CGM technology should be increasingly prioritized for its cardiovascular protective effects, potentially placing it earlier in treatment algorithms, particularly for high-risk patients.

The financial implications for healthcare systems are substantial. With diabetes affecting approximately 589 million people worldwide and cardiovascular disease being a major cost driver, technologies that reduce hospitalizations could generate significant cost savings despite the upfront investment in CGM technology.

• New data reveal a 78% reduction in cardiovascular disease-related hospitalizations for people living with Type 1 diabetes with prior severe low blood sugar episodes.¹
• This significant decrease is linked to the use of Libre biowearable technology compared to traditional blood glucose monitors.¹
• Results also show a reduction in hospitalization for cardiovascular complications in adults with Type 2 diabetes on insulin using Libre technology.²

ABBOTT PARK, Ill., May 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Abbott (NYSE: ABT) today announced results from its REFLECT real-world studies that show the use of FreeStyle Libre^® continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology is associated with a significant reduction in the risk of hospitalization for heart complications in people with diabetes. For the first time, 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.¹ Findings from the studies also show a similar reduction in heart-related hospitalizations for those with Type 2 diabetes on insulin using Libre biowearable technology.²

Diabetes remains a serious chronic disease worldwide, affecting approximately 589 million people³ and often accompanied by cardiovascular complications.⁴ People with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are 2-4 times more likely than someone without diabetes to develop heart disease, a major cause of death for both groups.⁵ While heart risks for Type 2 diabetes are well known, there's low awareness about heart complications in people with Type 1 diabetes. Adults with Type 1 diabetes who have had serious low blood sugar episodes are twice as likely to be hospitalized for heart-related issues.⁶ 

For people with diabetes, the REFLECT findings suggest that the use of Libre technology could also potentially lead to lower healthcare costs due to the reduction in hospital admissions related to heart complications.

"These results are remarkable, as we see dual benefits from CGM technology in managing diabetes and its associated cardiovascular complications," said one of the lead authors of the studies, David Nathanson, MD, PhD, Karolinska University Hospital in Sweden. "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 healthcare system by easing medical, emotional and financial burdens."

The findings 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%.¹

"These data are transformative and show just how valuable FreeStyle Libre technology is for managing both diabetes and heart health, helping millions of people live healthy lives," said Mahmood Kazemi, M.D., chief medical officer for Abbott's diabetes care business. "With its heart benefits, Libre makes it easier for people to take control of their health."

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."

About REFLECT Studies:
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.⁸

The studies, published between October 2024 and April 2025, assessed: 1) the impact of intermittently scanned CGM versus blood glucose monitoring on HbA_1c 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 HbA_1c levels for adults with Type 1 diabetes;⁹ 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.

About FreeStyle Libre:
Abbott continues to pioneer ground-breaking technology to support people living with diabetes. The company revolutionized diabetes care 10 years ago with its world-leading FreeStyle Libre continuous glucose monitoring portfolio, which today is used by more than 7 million people across over 60 countries.¹⁰ People use Libre technology to see their glucose numbers in real-time, providing insights into how food, activity, or insulin impacts their glucose to help them make progress on their health goals. There is full or partial reimbursement for Libre systems in more than 40 countries.¹¹

About Abbott:
Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 114,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

Connect with us at Abbott.com and on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

Product for prescription only; for Important Safety Information, please visit FreeStyleLibre.us.

1	Eeg-Olofsson, K., Diabetologia (2025): https://doi.org/10.1007/s00125-025-06438-y
2	Nathanson, D., Diabetologia (2024): https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00125-024-06289-z
3	International Diabetes Federation – Facts & figures, accessed April 2025 from: https://idf.org/about-diabetes/diabetes-facts-figures/
4	CDC – Diabetes and your heart, accessed April 2025 from: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/diabetes-complications/diabetes-and-your-heart.html
5	Dal Canto, E., European J. of Preventive Cardiology (2019): https://doi.org/10.1177/2047487319878371
6	Amiel, SA, The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology (2019): https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-8587(18)30315-2
7	AHA – Cardiovascular disease and diabetes, accessed May 2025 from: Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes |American Heart Association
8	NDR - Nationella Diabetesregistret, accessed April 2025 from: https://ndr.registercentrum.se/in-english/the-swedish-national-diabetes-register/p/BJyILnupj
9	Eeg-Olofsson K. Diabetes Care (2024): https: doi.org/10.2337/dc 24-0690
10	Data on file, Abbott Diabetes Care. Data based on the number of patients assigned to each manufacturer.
11	Data on file, Abbott Diabetes Care.

 

 

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/abbotts-libre-technology-is-first-continuous-glucose-monitor-associated-with-reduced-hospitalizations-for-heart-complications-in-people-with-diabetes-302456611.html

SOURCE Abbott

FAQ

What are the cardiovascular benefits of Abbott's FreeStyle Libre CGM for diabetes patients?

Abbott's FreeStyle Libre CGM reduces cardiovascular disease-related hospitalizations by 78% in Type 1 diabetes patients with prior severe low blood sugar episodes, 80% in those without prior cardiovascular disease, and 49% in those with prior cardiovascular history.

How does Abbott's (ABT) Libre technology impact Type 2 diabetes patients?

The REFLECT studies show that Type 2 diabetes patients on insulin using Libre technology experience significant reductions in heart-related hospitalizations, similar to the benefits seen in Type 1 diabetes patients.

What conditions were studied in Abbott's REFLECT research for the Libre CGM?

The REFLECT research examined various cardiovascular conditions including non-fatal heart attack, non-fatal stroke, coronary artery disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and cardiovascular death.

What is the potential financial impact of Abbott's Libre technology on healthcare costs?

The REFLECT findings suggest that using Libre technology could lead to lower healthcare costs due to significant reductions in hospital admissions related to heart complications.

How much more likely are diabetes patients to develop heart disease compared to non-diabetics?

According to the study, people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are 2-4 times more likely to develop heart disease compared to individuals without diabetes.