Self-monitoring of blood glucose and treatment outcomes in type 2 diabetic patients.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to evaluate an association between the frequency of blood glucose self-monitoring (SMBG) and glycemic control assessed by glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) levels.


METHODS
A group of 600 type 2 diabetic patients aged 63.4 +/- 9 years (32 to 85 years) and with a mean diabetes duration of 11.4 +/- 7.7 years (min. 1 year, max. 38 years) were asked to perform weekly blood glucose self-monitoring with an 8-point glucose profile on a chosen day. They were also asked to declare their self-monitoring frequency. HbA1C levels were measured in all the patients.


RESULTS
Most of the patients reported that they performed their SMBG 1-2 times a day (44.3%) or 1-2 times a week (31.8%). All of them measured their blood glucose after an overnight fast and after breakfast. Most patients performed their measurements also after lunch and dinner. Less than 50% of patients did their measurements at night-time. The mean HbA1C level was 7.45 +/- 1.08%. Only 20% of patients achieved metabolic control of diabetes recommended by the Polish Diabetic Society (HbA1C < 6.5%). No severe hypoglycemia episodes were obsered. Glycated hemoglobin levels did not differ between the SMBG frequency groups. There was no correlation between HbA1C levels and the frequency of self-monitoring in any group.


CONCLUSIONS
There was no correlation between the frequency of SMBG and HbA1C, which questions the need for multiple daily measurements of blood glucose in all type 2 diabetic patients.
Bajkowska-Fiedziukiewicz
Agnieszka
A
Diabetes Clinic for Adults, Polish Mother's Memorial Hospital, Research Institute, Lódź, Poland.
Cypryk
Katarzyna
K
Kozdraj
Tomasz
T
Mikołajczyk-Swatko
Anna
A
Kosiński
Marcin
M
Józefowska
Małgorzata
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001786:Blood Glucose; D015190:Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin