Practical approaches for self-monitoring of blood glucose: an Asia-Pacific perspective

Abstract

Comprehensive glycemic control is necessary to improve outcomes and avoid complications in individuals with diabetes. Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is a key enabler of glycemic assessment, providing real-time information that complements HbA1c monitoring and supports treatment optimization. However, SMBG is under-utilized by patients and physicians within the Asia-Pacific region, because of barriers such as the cost of monitoring supplies, lack of diabetes self-management skills, or concerns about the reliability of blood glucose readings. Practice recommendations in international and regional guidelines vary widely, and may not be detailed or specific enough to guide SMBG use effectively. This contributes to uncertainty among patients and physicians about how best to utilize this tool: when and how often to test, and what action(s) to take in response to high or low readings. In developing a practical SMBG regimen, the first step is to determine the recommended SMBG frequency and intensity needed to support the chosen treatment regimen. If there are practical obstacles to monitoring, such as affordability or access, physicians should identify the most important aspects of glycemic control to target for individual patients, and modify monitoring patterns accordingly. This consensus paper proposes a selection of structured, flexible SMBG patterns that can be tailored to the clinical, educational, behavioral, and financial requirements of individuals with diabetes.

Prevalence and Predictors of Home Use of Glucometers in Diabetic Patients

“…This finding is in accordance with previous researchers enumerating significant patient-related factors contributing to SMBG underutilization [21]. Congruent with a previous study [22], we found that awareness about diabetes and its complications encourages better SMBG practices. As cited in the Journal of the American Diabetic Association (ADA), “patient’s SMBG related knowledge and skills” is a key criterion for effective SMBG [23].…”

Perspectives of patients with non‐insulin‐treated type 2 diabetes on self‐monitoring of blood glucose: A qualitative study

“…The global diabetic population is currently 382 million and is projected to increase to 592 million by 2035 (Guariguata et al., ). More than half of this population reside in the Asia–Pacific region, where the number of people with diabetes is expected to reach 332 million by 2035 (Chowdhury, Ji, Suwanwalaikorn, Yu, & Tan, ; Guariguata et al., ).…”

“…Numerous scholars have suggested that patients with diabetes should engage in self‐care practices in combination with pharmacological treatments to effectively control the disease and its complications. The optimal management of diabetes involves patients’ self‐caring, self‐monitoring their blood glucose levels and maintaining these levels within a safe range (Blevins, ; Chowdhury et al., ; Szymborska‐Kajanek, Psurek, Hese, & Strojek, ). Self‐monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) can be integral to a treatment regimen, as described by the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) in its framework of seven self‐care behaviours, AADE7 Self‐Care Behaviors™ (AADE, ).…”

Evaluation of errors in the use of glucose meters in elderly patients

“…ADC kılavuzu hastalara parmaklarını hafifçe sıkmalarını önermektedir ancak hafifçenin ne olduğu belirtilmemiştir 14 . Hollanda diyabet uzmanları derneği kılavuzunda sıkma işlemi önerilmemektir, çünkü ölçümü etkileyebilmektedir 17 . 2009 yılında, Hollanda'da yapılan, 111 diyabet hastanın katıldığı bir çalışmada, hastaların %69'u kan damlasının elde edilmesinde, parmaklarına yanlış şekilde basınç uygulamışlardır 15 .…”

“…Şeker ölçümünde ağrı hissinin azaltılması için, parmak ucunun yan tarafının kullanılması ve parmağın delinmesi için iğnenin bir kere kullanılması konusunda kılavuzlarda fikir birliği bulunmaktadır 3,14,[16][17][18][19] .…”