Self-monitoring of blood glucose in France: data from a national survey

Objectives: To describe Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose (SMBG) practices in France in patients with type 1 (T1DM) or type 2 (T2DM) diabetes, by estimating the proportion of patients performing SMBG at the recommended testing frequency and the proportion of patients complying with the current quality control guidelines on SMBG. Materials and methods: National cross-sectional study conducted in 238 pharmacies. A questionnaire was completed with adult diabetic patients buying SMBG devices or reagent strips for themselves, using a blood glucose meter for at least 6 months, treated with insulin or sulfonylurea/glinides other oral hypoglycaemic agents (HA). Results: Data from 449 patients were analysed: 85 T1DM and 121 T2DM patients treated by multiple basal-bolus injections HA (Group A and Group B), 123 T2DM patients treated by basal insulin +/- HA (Group C), 102 patients treated by other insulin regimens +/- HA (Group D) and 120 T2DM patients treated by sulfonylurea / glinides without insulin other HA (Group E). The recommended test frequency was observed by 29.8%, 36.4%, 61.8% and 69.2% of patients in Group A, Group B, Group C, and Group E, respectively. The quality of self -monitoring was insufficient in terms of device cleaning, storage conditions/expiry date of reagent strips, or use of control solutions. Patients displayed a limited capacity to take decisions in relation to their SMBG results (Group A: 56.5%, Group B: 70.2 %, Group C: 49.2%, Group E: 36.0%) and limited knowledge about their glucose targets (Group A: 81%, Group B: 80.5%, Group C: 68.6%, Group E: 73.7%). Conclusion: SMBG use and compliance with quality guidelines must be improved, but healthcare professionals and patients must also focus their efforts on education to interpret SMBG results.