Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems in Diabetes Management: A Qualitative Analysis Based on User Experiences

Aim: Continuous glucose monitoring systems are widely employed in diabetes management to improve blood glucose control and reduce the risk of hypoglycemia. These technologies enable real-time monitoring of glucose levels, thereby optimizing treatment processes. However, user-based data regarding the effectiveness and usability challenges of continuous glucose monitoring systems remain limited. This study aims to analyze the experiences of individuals using continuous glucose monitoring systems by examining the role of these devices in diabetes management, their advantages, and the issues encountered. Material and Method: A total of 193 user comments collected from Reddit, YouTube, and Şikayetvar platforms were evaluated through content analysis. Results: The results indicate that continuous glucose monitoring systems enhance users’ quality of life, facilitate glucose tracking, and contribute positively to hypoglycemia management. Nevertheless, technical and design-related issues—such as fluctuations in sensor accuracy, connectivity problems, high costs, and skin irritations—were frequently reported. In particular, false hypoglycemia alarm notifications were found to be especially bothersome. Conclusion: Users call for improvements in calibration procedures, the development of customizable alarm systems, and the provision of longer-lasting, cost-effective sensors. The findings offer valuable feedback for enhancing continuous glucose monitoring systems and provide recommendations for manufacturers and healthcare professionals to optimize the use of this technology in diabetes management. Future research should focus on more comprehensive studies to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of continuous glucose monitoring systems.