Questionnaire on Self-monitoring of Blood Glucose and Its Relevance to Blood Glucose Control

Abstract

We studied the frequency, history, and knowledge of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) and the relevance of these factors to blood glucose control in diabetic patients by questionnaire. Subjects were 215 patients with type 1 diabetes (Group T1) and 99 with type 2 diabetes (Group T2).
Responses from 86.0% of Group T1 and 78.8% of Group T2 indicated that they had had operation instructions (“how to operate”) explained, while 30-50% of patients in both groups had had other items (“Significance of SMBG,” “SMBG use” “a Coping with hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia,” and “Other”) explained about SMBG. Furthermore, in both groups, 60% did not test the accuracy of SMBG devices. The duration of insulin treatment, SMBG history,and SMBG frequency were not related to HbA_1C levels in either group. Predicting blood glucose levels before SMBG was not related to HbA_1C levels in either group. Training in blood glucose awareness is more important in improving blood glucose control than simply predicting blood glucose levels out of habits. Even in patients with a long history of SMBG, it is necessary to reconfirm their training to use SMBG more effectively.