Generating real-world evidence on diabetes technology using the CareLink Personal data management system

Aim: To establish trust in real-world evidence (RWE) derived from CareLink Personal (CP), Medtronic's data management system for MiniMed system users, we show that this database and its analyses strictly adhere to the principles of RWE. Methods: The methodology is applicable to all MiniMed iterations. We described every step from raw data to predefined outcomes. In addition, we showed CP's fitness-for-research by the below metrics (using last year's MiniMed 780G system data as a case study): representative population, relevant endpoints, appropriate granularity, high data completeness, high data representativity and consistency in results. Results: The process from raw data to outcomes has been validated, and metrics/logics adhere to established definitions. Over 95% of users have a CP account; with 96% providing consent, this allows the use of >91% of the census population. There is no rationale for an over-representation of a specific phenotype among users not included. CP includes >50 endpoints, including ‘International Consensus on Time in Range’ based metrics. Data are recorded at 5-min intervals (maximum 288 per day), and on average there were 263 data points per person per day. Ninety-nine per cent of uploads were automated. For the last year, only 1 in 6 users had a data gap >1 day, and 1 in 50 had a gap >1 week. The time in range from in-silico studies was similar to that of real-world studies from different geographies and with ever growing populations. Conclusion: RWE from CP adheres to the principles of RWE and can serve as robust evidence on the performance and safety of MiniMed systems.