Blog - Diabetes News
State of Type 2 Report: Key Findings and How CGM Can Help People with Type 2 Diabetes
According to Diabetes UK, more than five million people in the UK are living with diabetes – and 90% of this group have type 2.1 Together with Censuswide,* Dexcom has carried out original research among people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, their caregivers and Health Care Professionals.
Who we interviewed
Working with our research partner, Censuswide,* we surveyed 250 people living with type 2 diabetes and 250 caregivers, including family members. We also surveyed 351 health care professionals involved in the care of people with type 2 diabetes, including at least 50 people in primary care jobs, such as GPs and nurses, and 50 in secondary care jobs, such as endocrinologists and dieticians. Those surveyed included a minimum of 50 health care professionals treating people with type 2 diabetes who use insulin intensive therapy.
Asking a series of questions resulted in our State of Type 2 Report. It revealed some interesting findings, including that nearly half (49%) of people with type 2 diabetes didn’t know about its impact when they were diagnosed – and now, 63% face challenges managing their diabetes in one or more ways.2 Learn more about some of our key findings below.
Some of our type 2 diabetes key findings
In summary, our State of Type 2 Report key findings and highlights include:
Understanding at diagnosis
Awareness of type 2 diabetes is low prior to diagnosis, with just 10% of patients knowing a lot about type 2 before diagnosis. Once diagnosed, healthcare professionals find that patients are most concerned with long-term complications (29%), fear of diabetes related health issues (28%) and how much it will impact their day-to-day lives (27%).
Mental health challenges
Living with type 2 diabetes takes a toll on mental health. Nearly half (42%) of patients and caregivers surveyed said that living with type 2 has negatively impacted their mental health, or that of the person they care for. Anxiety (61%) and depression (52%) are the most commonly reported effects of living with type 2.
Balancing nutrition
Peope living with type 2 diabetes and their caregivers recognise the importance of proper nutrition to manage type 2, with 81% saying they are aware eating healthily would positively affect their diabetes. Still, there’s room for education and excitement when it comes to eating, with over a quarter (27%) of people with type 2 diabetes and their caregivers agreeing they don’t think they have the right education on food, and 39% saying they find eating after their type 2 diagnosis boring.
Technological advancements
Technology like CGM makes it easier to manage type 2 diabetes. While only 9% of people with type 2 diabetes and their caregivers fully understand what a CGM system is – and 70% are unaware its available on prescription for some people with type 2 - most know that it will help improve their lives with diabetes: in fact, 40% say being able to see glucose numbers in real time and having access to CGM would have the most positive effect on their type 2 diabetes or that of the person they care for. Additionally, 83% of peope with type 2 diabetes say that if their healthcare team offered them a CGM, they would try it.
The future of type 2 diabetes
62% of healthcare practitioners expect the number of people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes will increase in the next 10 years – with 97% anticipating CGM will become standard practice for caring for patients with type 2 diabetes.2
Dexcom ONE+ for type 2 diabetes management
With no finger pricks required,† Dexcom ONE+ CGM sends automatic glucose readings straight to your receiver, compatible smartphone and/or smartwatch.‡ With its exceptional accuracy,§ you can see the impact that food, exercise, insulin and more have on your glucose levels for better ‘in the moment’ (and long-term) diabetes treatment decisions.¶ Dexcom ONE+ will be available to buy online from the 3rd June. Register your interest to find out more.
* Censuswide is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society which is based on the ESOMAR principles.
† Finger pricks required for diabetes treatment decisions if symptoms or expectations do not match readings.
‡ Display devices sold separately. For a list of compatible smart devices, please visit www.dexcom.com/compatibility. A compatible smartphone is needed to transfer glucose levels to a compatible smartwatch.
§ Dexcom G6, Dexcom G7 and Dexcom ONE+ User Guides.
¶ Discuss with your HCP on how to use CGM information to manage diabetes.
† Finger pricks required for diabetes treatment decisions if symptoms or expectations do not match readings.
‡ Display devices sold separately. For a list of compatible smart devices, please visit www.dexcom.com/compatibility. A compatible smartphone is needed to transfer glucose levels to a compatible smartwatch.
§ Dexcom G6, Dexcom G7 and Dexcom ONE+ User Guides.
¶ Discuss with your HCP on how to use CGM information to manage diabetes.
1 How Many People in the UK Have Diabetes? Diabetes UK. https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about-us/about-the-charity/our-strategy/statistics. [Access 18th April 2024].
2 Dexcom and Censuswide online survey of people living with diabetes (Type 2, their caretakers and healthcare practitioners), conducted in the UK, H1 2024, N=851.
2 Dexcom and Censuswide online survey of people living with diabetes (Type 2, their caretakers and healthcare practitioners), conducted in the UK, H1 2024, N=851.