Do patients with type 2 diabetes who aren't taking insulin benefit from self-monitoring blood glucose?

Abstract

Patients with type 2 diabetes who aren't on insulin and perform self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) show small but significant reductions in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) at 6 months but not at 12 months (strength of recommendation [SOR]: B, systematic reviews and meta-analyses of disease-oriented evidence). Patients with a baseline HbA1c <8% who self-monitor don't reduce their HbA1c levels, but patients with a baseline HbA1c >8% do (SOR: B, systematic reviews and meta-analyses of disease-oriented evidence). More frequent SMBG--4 to 7 times weekly--doesn't reduce HbA1c more than less frequent self-monitoring--1 or 2 times a week (SOR: B, a systematic review and meta-analysis of disease-oriented evidence).