Self-monitoring blood glucose Non-insulin-treated type 2 diabetes in Australian general practice

Background Benefits of self-monitoring blood glucose (SMBG) in non-insulin-treated type 2 diabetes (T2D) are questionable. We investigated proportions of general practitioner (GP) patients who self-monitor, and associations between SMBG, glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and body mass index (BMI). Methods Sub-studies of the Bettering the Evaluation and Care of Health (BEACH) program, involving 5 730 patients from 194 GPs. Outcomes Type 2 diabetes prevalence; HbA1c; BMI; blood glucose (BG) monitoring routine. Results Prevalence of non-insulin-treated T2D was 6.7%. Mean HbA1c level was 7.1%. Almost half (47.5%) of T2D patients were obese compared with 26.7% of patients at all BEACH encounters in 2011-2012. Of 344 non-insulin-treated T2D patients, 79.4% self-monitored fasting BG and 69.7% of 314 self-monitored post-prandial BG. For both groups, mean HbA1c was significantly higher for those who tested daily than for those who never tested. Conclusion Patients with non-insulin-treated T2D who test BG daily may be those struggling for control. For others, benefits seem minimal for the proportion utilising self-monitoring.