Results from the Dexcom-sponsored CONNECT randomized controlled trial, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, demonstrate that Dexcom G7 continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) significantly benefits adults with type 2 diabetes who do not use insulin. Participants using the device achieved a 1.6% average A1C reduction—0.9% greater than routine care—and gained five additional hours daily in target glucose range. Benefits persisted across GLP-1 medication users, strengthening clinical evidence for expanding CGM access earlier in diabetes care.
Glycemic outcomes of the CONNECT trial
- ▪In the CONNECT trial, 68% of Dexcom G7 users achieved an A1C below 7.5% and 46% achieved an A1C below 7.0% after 26 weeks of monitoring.
- ▪In the CONNECT study, Dexcom G7 users spent approximately five additional hours per day (a 21 percentage point increase) in the target glucose range of 70–180 mg/dL compared with participants receiving routine care.
- ▪In the 26-week CONNECT trial involving 283 non-insulin type 2 diabetes patients, Dexcom G7 users experienced an average 1.6% A1C reduction compared to a reduction in the routine-care group, resulting in a 0.9% greater reduction.
CONNECT trial enrollment and baseline characteristics
- ▪The CONNECT trial screened 440 participants across 22 U.S. primary care sites and enrolled adults aged 21 to 84 with non-insulin-treated type 2 diabetes and a baseline A1C of at least 7.5%.
- ▪At baseline in the CONNECT trial, 40% of enrolled participants were taking GLP-1 receptor agonists, 37% were taking SGLT2 inhibitors, and 18% were taking both drug classes.
Glycemic impact of combining GLP-1 therapies with CGMs
- ▪A study published in Diabetes Therapy found that adults with type 2 diabetes and HbA1c above 8% already on GLP-1 therapies reduced A1C by an average 1.5 percentage points after adding Abbott Libre technology.
- ▪In the CONNECT trial, participants using GLP-1 receptor agonist therapies achieved an additional 0.9% A1C reduction when using the Dexcom G7 compared to GLP-1 therapy with routine care.
- ▪A 2024 study in Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics showed that adults starting GLP-1 therapy and Abbott's FreeStyle Libre concurrently achieved a 2.4 percentage point HbA1c reduction versus 1.7 points for GLP-1 alone.
CONNECT trial continuous glucose monitor adherence
- ▪A 26-week extension phase of the CONNECT trial is underway to assess sustained continuous glucose monitor usage and the durability of its effects.
- ▪During the CONNECT trial, 97% of participants remained active users of continuous glucose monitors after 26 weeks, with most utilizing the device daily.
Real-time glucose visibility and daily habits
- ▪Type 2 diabetes patient Dawn Culver-Henkel uses an Abbott Libre 3 Plus sensor alongside GLP-1 therapy to understand how her dietary choices affect her glucose levels.
- ▪Continuous glucose monitoring provides real-time visibility into how meals, physical activity, medication timing, sleep, and stress impact blood sugar levels without waiting for quarterly A1C laboratory tests.
Dr. Roy w. Beck on continuous glucose monitoring
- ▪Study senior author Dr. Roy W. Beck noted that participant retention after 26 weeks indicated patients recognized the benefits of continuous glucose monitoring and incorporated it into daily management.
- ▪Study senior author Dr. Roy W. Beck stated that the consistent glycemic benefits observed across diverse demographics support using continuous glucose monitoring much earlier in type 2 diabetes management before insulin is required.
CONNECT trial adverse events
- ▪In the CONNECT trial, no severe hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia-related serious adverse events were observed, with only three sensor-related adverse events reported in the continuous glucose monitoring group.
- ▪During the CONNECT trial, participants in the continuous glucose monitoring group experienced 33 total adverse events compared to 24 adverse events in the routine-care group.
Medication changes during CONNECT trial
- ▪During the CONNECT trial, 17% of participants in the routine-care group had glucose-lowering or insulin medications added, compared with 31% in the continuous glucose monitoring group.
- ▪CONNECT trial researchers noted that glycemic improvements with continuous glucose monitoring occurred with medication additions in only 31% of users, indicating behavioral habit modifications drove a substantial portion of the benefit.
Dr. Eden Miller on continuous glucose monitoring
- ▪Dr. Eden Miller stated that real-time continuous glucose monitoring data helps patients remain engaged with lifestyle changes over both the short and long term.
- ▪Dr. Eden Miller noted that while GLP-1 medications effectively lower blood sugar, patients still make daily lifestyle choices requiring continuous glucose monitoring data to understand their individual physiological responses.
Dexcom leadership and study sponsorship
- ▪Dexcom sponsored the 26-week CONNECT randomized controlled trial evaluating continuous glucose monitor use in adults with type 2 diabetes not using insulin.
- ▪Dexcom CEO Jake Leach called on physicians, payors, and healthcare leaders to expand continuous glucose monitoring coverage and adoption to non-insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes patients.
CONNECT trial publication in NEJM
- ▪The CONNECT trial published in The New England Journal of Medicine was led by researchers at the Jaeb Center for Health Research in Tampa, Florida.
- ▪The publication of the CONNECT trial in The New England Journal of Medicine marks the first time in nearly two decades that the journal published clinical data on standalone real-time continuous glucose monitoring technology.
American Diabetes Association and CONNECT study
- ▪Prior to the CONNECT trial, the 2026 American Diabetes Association Standards of Care cited Level A evidence for continuous glucose monitoring in insulin-treated diabetes, but only Level C evidence for non-insulin-treated type 2 diabetes.
- ▪Researchers first presented the CONNECT trial findings at the American Diabetes Association's 2026 Scientific Sessions prior to publishing the study in The New England Journal of Medicine.
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