title: Advanced meter features improve postprandial and paired self-monitoring of blood glucose in individuals with diabetes: results of the Actions with the CONTOUR Blood Glucose Meter and Behaviors in Frequent Testers (ACT) study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study evaluated whether education and use of the advanced meter features of the CONTOUR(®) (Bayer HealthCare LLC, Diabetes Care, Tarrytown, NY) blood glucose monitoring system (BGMS) affect the frequency and pattern of blood glucose testing in insulin-using subjects with diabetes who routinely perform self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG).
  
  
  METHODS
  Insulin-using subjects with type 1 or type 2 diabetes were enrolled in this 6-month, multicenter, prospective study and randomized to one of two groups. The basic meter features group (BMF group) received basic instruction in the use of the BGMS, whereas the advanced meter features group (AMF group) also received training in the use of advanced features, including the meal marker and audible reminder, and were instructed to use these features. Both groups received education on the importance of postprandial testing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The AMF group (n=105) had significantly greater average weekly postprandial blood glucose testing than the BMF group (n=106) at each follow-up visit (P<0.001) and significantly increased the frequency of paired blood glucose testing (P<0.001) as well. In both groups, glycated hemoglobin decreased significantly as postprandial testing frequency increased (P<0.05). Subject reports indicated that use of advanced features made postmeal SMBG considerably easier to remember, helped them better understand how to make decisions on their own, and increased their confidence in meal choices.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Study findings showed that advanced features of the CONTOUR BGMS increased structured testing as measured by postprandial and paired SMBG and were perceived as useful by patients.
authors.affiliation: International Diabetes Center at Park Nicollet , Minneapolis, Minnesota 55416, USA. Richard.Bergenstal@ParkNicollet.com
authors.forename: Richard M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Bergenstal
authors.forename: Bruce W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Bode
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tamler
authors.forename: Dace L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Trence
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Stenger
authors.forename: Holly C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Schachner
authors.forename: Jeanellen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fullam
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pardo
authors.forename: Taylor
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kohut
authors.forename: William A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Fisher
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000419:Albuminuria / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D015190:Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007328:Insulin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D019518:Postprandial Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; C517652:hemoglobin A1c protein, human