Certain groups recommend self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) to help clients with diabetes monitor glycemic control. Yet many studies show that, over time, routine SMBG does little to control blood sugar for most non-insulin-using adults with type 2 diabetes. It should be noted that SMBG would be indicated during illness or medication change, and this should be part of client assessment and education.

Conditions: Diabetes

Diagnostic Tests: Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG)

Sources

• Brownlee C. For diabetics not on insulin, self-monitoring blood sugar has no benefit. Cochrane Library [Internet]. 2012 Jan 19 [cited 2016 Oct 18]. (CFAH)
• Cameron C, Coyle D, Ur E, et al. Cost-effectiveness of self-monitoring of blood glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus managed without insulin. CMAJ. 2010 Jan 12;182(1):28-34. (PubMed)
• Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health. Optimal therapy recommendations for the prescribing and use of blood glucose test strips. CADTH Technol Overv. 2010;1(2):e0109. (PubMed)
• Canadian Diabetes Association. Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) recommendation tool for healthcare providers [Internet]. 2013 [cited 2016 Oct 21]. (Diabetes.ca)
• Canadian Medical Association, College of Family Physicians of Canada. Eleven things physicians and patients should question [Internet]. 2014 Oct 29 [cited 2016 Oct 21]. (Choosing Wisely)
• Gomes T, Juurlink DN, Shah BR, et al. Blood glucose test strips: options to reduce usage. CMAJ. 2010 Jan 12;182(1):35-8. (PubMed)
• O’Kane MJ, Bunting B, Copeland M, et al. Efficacy of self monitoring of blood glucose in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes (ESMON study): randomised controlled trial. BMJ. 2008 May 24;336(7654):1174-7. (PubMed)