Summary

Patients newly diagnosed with diabetes were assigned to either self-monitoring their blood glucose or not doing so. After a year, blood glucose control was no different between the two groups and those who self-monitored were more likely to report depression.

Introduction

Self-monitoring of blood glucose for diabetics not on insulin is often advocated by health professionals. It sounds like a good idea - it involves the patient in managing their condition and so could give a feeling of control, and it ought to help keep blood glucose steady if the patient has constant feedback. And, of course, good blood glucose control is the key to avoiding the long-term health complications of type 2 diabetes, like heart and kidney disease and blindness. Yet it is not clear whether self-monitoring actually does benefit the patient's health - nor what they really think about doing it. Researchers in Northern Ireland have accordingly carried out a new study to address these questions.

What was done

A group of 184 people aged under 70 and newly diagnosed with diabetes took part in the study. None were on insulin treatment and none had done self-monitoring before. They were assigned to either carry out self-monitoring or not to do so for a 12 month period. Monitoring consisted of eight measurements per week with a glucose monitor. Their blood glucose was measured in the clinic regularly, along with their body mass index, psychological wellbeing and use of oral diabetic drugs.

What was found

At the end of one year, there was no difference in blood control between the self-monitoring group and those who did not self-monitor. Moreover, those in the self-monitoring group had a 6 percent higher score on the depression scale.

What this study means

Self-monitoring may not be a good idea for the patient newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. It does not seem to protect their health, in terms of providing better glucose control. And it also seems to interfere with quality of life - maybe because patients find it a bother and don't want to have to worry about high glucose readings. Therefore patients with diabetes and their doctors should perhaps concentrate on other ways of managing the condition.