AGP: What is it?
Jun 27, 2017, 10:50 AM
Ambulatory Glucose Profile (AGP) has just been added to the DexCom Clarity report and is available on the Pro version of the Freestyle Libre device. So, what is it? Simply put, it’s a way of simplifying dense data to show trends and identify risks. I’m attaching a very useful paper to go into all the science as to how and why it works, but it’s something we’re going to need to learn – if we don’t use it already.
Why is it needed? You can agree or disagree that the AGP is the best way to do things, either way, it will be available and we should understand it. The idea is that with the current availability of dense data, there is no ONE way to interpret it to come to a conclusion for patients. Granted, we may be interpreting the results very much the same way, however, there is no standard measurement to ensure that this is happening.
This simplified approach should give us a more concise way to look at CGM data and interpret it to assist patients in their therapy decisions.
Using a modal day report – many days of data overlaid on top of each other and looks like tangled spaghetti – is difficult to read. But what if the analysis could draw ONE line for all that data? This simplified approach should give us a more concise way to look at CGM data and interpret it to assist patients in their therapy decisions.
In a clinical trial, clinicians said they valued the AGP in situations where there was a discrepancy between HbA1c and glycemic profile; in viewing glucose levels compared to target range; pinpointing causes and extent of high blood glucose; assessing for treatment; assessing if it would be safe to increase insulin dose. Clinicians in the study further added that AGP was most useful when meal information and physical activity was also available.i
My goal isn’t to bog you down in all the nitty gritty – just to bring a little awareness to this in case it isn’t familiar to you. Please do reference the paper for additional exploration into why AGP may be useful in your practice.
i Matthaei S, Dealaiz Antuna R, Bosi E, Evans M, Geelhoed-Duijvestijn N, JoubertM. Consensus recommendations for the use of ambulatory glucose profile in clinical practice. Br J Diabetes Vasc Dis 2014;14:153–157
About the Author:
Molly McElwee-Malloy is the head of patient engagement and director of marketing for TypeZero Technologies, an artificial pancreas company. She also volunteers with the Charlottesville (VA) Free Clinic to help oversee the Diabetes Insulin Titration Telemedicine Program. She's active in the diabetes online community: @MollyMacT1D.