Frequency and Impact of SMBG on Glycemic Control in Patients With NIDDM in an Urban Teaching Hospital Clinic

Abstract

Few published reports have documented the value of SMBG on glycemic control in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), and no reports have evaluated predominantly African American patients who are at high risk for NIDDM and associated complications. In this study a 13-item survey was given to 98 patients with NIDDM to assess the frequency of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) and its impact on glycemic control. Sixty-one patients performed SMBG and 37 did not. More SMBG testers were taking insulin compared with the nontesters. GHb was comparable between groups. Among the testers there was no difference in mean GHb values based on the frequency of SMBG. Most testers performed SMBG before meals (93%) and recorded their values (85%); many had difficulty obtaining a good blood sample (30%). The most common reason for not testing was cost of supplies (77%). Performance of SMBG in these NIDDM patients was not associated with better glycemic control. Cost was a prohibitive factor for the nontesters.

Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose in Type 2 Diabetes

“…DIABETES CARE, VOLUME 24, NUMBER 6, JUNE 2001 (12)(13)(14) that review, have yielded similarly negative results.…”

Racial Differences in Long-Term Self-Monitoring Practice Among Newly Drug-Treated Diabetes Patients in an HMO

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6] Improving selfcare practices and performance among minority diabetes patients may lead to improved outcomes. Evidence suggests that minorities with diabetes may receive a lower quality of care and experience greater barriers to effective selfmanagement, [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] despite being at greater risk for complication, disability, and mortality than white diabetes patients. [1][2][3][4][5][6] Intensive drug therapy improves glycemic control and reduces the risk of microvascular and other diabetes-related complications.…”

Frequency of Blood Glucose Monitoring in Relation to Glycemic Control in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

“…A study in Missouri of 61 type 2 diabetic patients who self-monitored found no difference in mean GHb values based on the frequency of testing (6). Among 115 patients treated with oral agents at a Veterans Administration Medical Center in Arizona, glucose control was independent of the number of blood glucose test strips dispensed (7).…”