Could glucose self‐monitoring become the preferred tool for screening and monitoring glucose control in cystic fibrosis?

Abstract

We aimed to assess the utility and acceptability of outpatient glucose self‐monitoring in an adult cystic fibrosis (CF) population.Adults with CF were asked to self‐monitor their capillary glucose, three times per day for two weeks preceding their hospital outpatient appointment. The American Diabetes Association definition of dysglycaemia was used, defined by at least two elevated glucose recordings of fasting glucose ≥5.6mmol/L or post‐prandial glucose ≥7.8mmol/L.From a CF population of 43 patients, 10 were excluded (mainly due to clinic in‐attendance). Of the remaining 33 patients, 29 (88%) consented to perform glucose self‐monitoring, and 22 patients (67% of eligible patients and 76% of those consenting to take part) provided glucose data. Dysglycaemia was found in 19 of 22 patients (86%).We conclude that glucose self‐monitoring in the weeks prior to outpatient CF clinic review could become the preferred tool for screening and monitoring of dysglycaemia in adult CF. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons.