Benefits of Structured SMBG Data

Created by 
American Medical Association (AMA)
Expired
Benefits of Structured SMBG Data

Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) has been an established component of diabetes management in patients with type 1 diabetes or insulin-treated type 2 diabetes. For patients with non-insulin treated diabetes, however, SMBG has not been routine practice. In the present day, where patients and clinicians alike see the benefits of personalized care, SMBG data possess the ability to provide information on tailoring individualized treatment plans for every patient. Importantly, SMBG data may also increase the extent to which patients feel control over their health by providing information on the effects of different types and amount of food and the benefit of physical exercise on glucose control, especially when SMBG data are routine and paired. This promotion of an internal locus of control may increase patient compliance with treatment regimens and help sustain lifestyle modifications. In a meta-analysis of studies looking into the effects of SMBG, a number of results were seen. Use of SMBG was associated with significant reduction of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels in comparison to no SMBG. Further, the structured SMBG regimen showed significantly greater reduction in HbA1c levels over unstructured SMBG regimen. While further studies should look to verify benefits of structured SMBG over unstructured, the lack of recent studies comparing SMBG versus no SMBG use highlights the growing consensus on the usefulness of SMBG. 

Katharine Barnard
Sybil Joseph
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christopher parkin
Andrew Farmer
Antonio Ceriello
6
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