title: Self-monitoring of blood glucose in noninsulin-treated type 2 diabetes: an overview.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The effectiveness of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) in noninsulin-treated patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) remains unclear. We aimed to review the trials investigating the effects of SMBG in this population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medline was searched until June 29, 2009. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of at least 12 weeks' duration were included. Data on the following aspects were gathered: patient and study characteristics, effects on HbA(1c), quality of life and treatment satisfaction, and methodological quality.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The search revealed 9 original RCTs. These studies were very heterogeneous, and 5 were classified as of high quality. The studies with the best methodology did not show an effect of SMBG on HbA(1c), the studies with the worst methodological quality did. Two out of the 4 studies that assessed quality of life showed a significant change in favor of the control group, 1 study showed a significant change in favor of SMBG.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found an inverse relation between study quality and efficacy of SMBG. At this moment, there is no basis for general use of SMBG in noninsulin-treated T2DM patients.
authors: Diabetes Centre, Isala Clinics, Zwolle, The Netherlands.
authors: Nanne
authors: N
authors: Kleefstra
authors: Johanna
authors: J
authors: Hortensius
authors: Kornelis Jj
authors: KJ
authors: van Hateren
authors: Susan Jj
authors: SJ
authors: Logtenberg
authors: Sebastiaan T
authors: ST
authors: Houweling
authors: Rijk Ob
authors: RO
authors: Gans
authors: Henk Jg
authors: HJ
authors: Bilo