Impact of Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose with a Monthly Group Discussion on Glycemic Control in Diabetic Subjects

Abstract

          Good glycemic control is important to reduce diabetic complications. We investigated an impact of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) on glycemic control from 54 diabetic subjects whose HbA1c>8% in the Endocrine Clinic, Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital. All had participated in the diabetic educational program and were advised to do SMBG twice daily. Thirty-three subjects attended in the monthly group discussion (age 57±2y, DM duration 11±2y), and 21 subjects (age 56±3y, DM duration 12±2y) did not. For subjects who attended in the monthly group discussion, 3 decided to discontinue SMBG, 3 lost follow-up, and 27 continued the program. After three months, HbA1c levels decreased in all subjects when compared with their baseline levels (mean HbA1c 10.2±.3% to 7.6±.2%, p<0.001).Almost half of them had HbA1c<7%. Subjects who did SMBG without attending in the monthly group discussion, 80% of them had lower Hba1c levels after three months compared to their baseline(HbA1c 9.9±0.3% to 83±0.3%, p<0.001). Fourteen percents of subjects had Hba1c <7%. Comparing between both groups, Mean difference of HbA1c between baseline and after three months from subjects who attended in the monthly group discussion was higher than those from subjects without attending in the group discussion (2.7±0.3% vs 1.6±0.4%, p= 0.037). No severe hypoglycemia was reported. In conclusions, SMBG had a positive effect on glycemic control. A monthly group discussion with healthcare professionals enhanced the benefit of SMBG. (Poster presentation for the 15^th Congress of the ASEAN Federation of Endocrine Societies. November 29-December 1,2009, Bangkok, Thailand)