Grace McGeoch|Sheena Derry|R Andrew Moore
Self?monitoring of blood glucose in type?2 diabetes: what is the evidence?
University of Oxford|University of Oxford|University of Oxford
abstract background controversy selfmonitoring blood glucose smbg patients type 2 diabetes using insulin randomized trials limited duration size validity methods systematic search randomized trials observational studies published since 1990 inclusion studies report smbg type 2 diabetes managed oral hypoglycaemic agents andor diet alone hba 1c clinical outcome least 50 patients least 6 months duration results three randomized trials 1000 patients included though interventions differing amount education smbg population studied two larger studies statistically significantly lower hba 1c levels smbg thirteen observational studies information 60 000 patients smaller studies lower initial hba 1c showed association smbg laboratory clinical improvement larger studies tended higher initial hba 1c show association smbg laboratory clinical improvement overall improvement glycaemic control smbg tended seen studies initial hba 1c 8 conclusions likely smbg beneficial circumstances example educational tool patients type 2 diabetes using insulin poor glycaemic control information needed level individual patient rather group means timing frequency monitoring response results constitutes effective patient education longterm clinical outcomes copyright 2007 john wiley amp sons ltd