Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose Can Be Effective in Type 2 Diabetes Only If It Serves a Clearly Identified Purpose
Response to Court
- Antonio Nicolucci, MD,
- Monica Franciosi, MSC (BIOL),
- Fabio Pellegrini, MS and
- Giorgia De Berardis, MSC (CHEM)
- From the Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Epidemiology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Consorzio Mario Negri Sud, S. Maria Imbaro, Italy
The use of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) in type 2 diabetic patients is still a matter of debate, as documented by the letter from Dr. Court (1). Despite its recommendation for all diabetic patients by the American Diabetes Association, the evidence supporting its effectiveness in improving glycemic control is questionable. A recent meta-analysis of all randomized trials on this topic failed to show any benefit for patients practicing SMBG (2). Previous observational studies were also unable to document a relation between frequency of SMBG and metabolic control (3).
From this point of view, …
