Background: Patients' adherence to guidelines regarding self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is limited. However, there are no previous reports about the recommendations that are given in clinical practice concerning SMBG. The aim of this study was to investigate what healthcare providers recommend to insulin-treated patients with diabetes regarding frequency and timing of SMBG.
Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, primary care assistants, diabetes specialised nurses and doctors in the Netherlands were invited via e-mail to complete an internet survey.
Results: A total of 980 (14%) professionals returned the questionnaire. Insulin pump users and patients with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) on 4 injections a day were advised to perform SMBG daily by 96% and 63% of the professionals, respectively. The majority of the professionals advised these patients to perform 3-4 measurements per day. There was less agreement on the timing (pre- and÷or postprandial). Patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) on four injections were advised to perform SMBG less frequently. There was a wide variation in recommendations that were given to patients with T2DM on less intensive insulin regimens.
Conclusion: This study investigated SMBG from a professional's perspective. A considerable and relevant variation in the recommendations about the number and timing of SMBG was observed. The most striking differences were found in patients with T2DM on less intensive insulin regimes, also with respect to the frequency of SMBG. Well-designed studies are necessary in order to give a more evidence-based advice on the basic frequency and timing of SMBG.