Role Of Self-monitoring of Blood Glucose and Intensive Education in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Not Receiving Insulin

Role Of Self-monitoring of Blood Glucose and Intensive Education in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Not Receiving Insulin: a Pilot Study

The aim of this pilot study is to evaluate the validity and feasibility of an educational approach involving nurses, combined with SMBG, aimed at lifestyle modification and timely changes in therapy, when needed.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with Type 2 diabetes (known diabetes or new diagnosis) seen for the first time in the diabetes outpatient clinic;
• Patients on treatment with OHA monotherapy (i.e. metformin alone or sulphonylureas alone or TZDs alone);
• No need for insulin treatment;
• Male and female patients, aged between 45-75 years;
• Hba1c values between 7% and 9% included (considering a value of 6.0% as the upper limit of normal value)
• No experience of self monitoring of blood glucose in the previous 12 months (SMBG performed with a frequency of < 1 times/week)
• Ability and willingness to comply with all study requirements
• Signature of consent form

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients incapable to perform SMBG
• Patients needing insulin or multiple OHA association therapy
• Patients needing a regular use of SMBG (e.g. frequent hypoglycemic episodes)
• Diabetes care not exclusively managed by diabetic clinics
• Patients with serious underlying medical or psychiatric condition