title: Usage of glucometer is associated with improved glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in Malaysian public primary care clinics: an open-label, randomised controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) has been underutilised. We conducted an open-label, randomised controlled trial to assess the feasibility of introducing SMBG in primary care clinics in Malaysia.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was an open-label, randomised controlled trial conducted in five public primary care clinics in Malaysia. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (age range 35-65 years) not performing SMBG at the time of the study were randomised to receive either a glucometer for SMBG or usual care. Both groups of patients received similar diabetes care from the clinics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 105 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were enrolled. Of these, 58 and 47 were randomised to intervention and control groups, respectively. After six months, the glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) level in the intervention group showed a statistically significant improvement of 1.3% (p = 0.001; 95% confidence interval 0.6-2.0), relative to the control group that underwent usual care. The percentages of patients that reached the HbA1c treatment target of ≤ 7% were 14.0% and 32.1% in the control and intervention groups (p = 0.036), respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The usage of a glucometer improved glycaemic control, possibly due to the encouragement of greater self-care in the intervention group.
authors.affiliation: Klinik Kesihatan Seremban 2, Jalan S2 A2, Seremban 2, 70300 Seremban, Negeri Sembilan Darul Khusus, Malaysia. drmi68@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Mastura
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ismail
authors.forename: Cheong-Lieng
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Teng
authors.forename: Chong-Lieng
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Teng
authors.forename: Mimi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Omar
authors.forename: Bee Kiau
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: Zainab
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Kusiar
authors.forename: Ruziaton
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hasim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015190:Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care
chemical_list: D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin