Self-monitoring among non-insulin treated patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: Patients' behavioural responses to readings and associations with glycaemic control

Aim To investigate self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) behaviour among non-insulin treated patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and to evaluate associations with glycaemic control. Methods Eligible patients in 23 GP practices in Tayside, Scotland, were identified (18–75 years, no insulin treatment, SMBG reagent strips dispensed in 2009). Consenting patients were administered questionnaires addressing SMBG behaviour: these primary data were record-linked to clinical data (including HbA1c) from a validated population-based diabetes clinical information system, then anonymised. Results Among 629 eligible patients, 207 were interviewed and analysed. Mean SMBG reagent strips dispensed in 12 months was 268. In response to a perceived high test result, 80 (38.8%) patients took no action or simply checked later with most of them (61.3%) indicating they did not know what action to take. Of the 126 (61.2%) patients who took some action, 101 made changes to diet, 12 increased physical activity, 10 made changes to medication and 12 mad a HCP appointment. A high score on a Diabetes Knowledge Test was a statistically significant predictor of taking action (odds ratio: 2.07). However, neither taking action nor increased SMBG frequency was associated with improved glycaemic control. Conclusions Responding to SMBG test results and increased testing frequency were not associated with improved glycaemic control in the short-term. There is a lack of knowledge surrounding SMBG in non-insulin treated patients.