The Utility of Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose in Patients of Diabetes Mellitus in a Tertiary Care Hospital: An Observational Study

Background: Monitoring of blood sugar levels is necessary in patients with diabetes mellitus, especially in newly diagnosed patients. Regular monitoring and periodic checkup and monitoring is required to know level of control of blood sugar. Although investigations done in laboratory are more reliable, it becomes impracticable and costly affair in the Indian situation. Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is a good option for glycemic control and hypoglycemia diagnosis. The aim of our study is to estimate the utility of SMBG in diabetes mellitus and to study its effect in the improvement of glycemic control. Materials and Methods: This is an observational cross-sectional study conducted in a tertiary care hospital. We administered a structured questionnaire to 100 patients with diabetes mellitus. The questionnaire included data about the use of glucometer, hypoglycemia episodes, hospitalizations, and glycemic control, for which we used fasting and postprandial blood glucose and haemoglobin A1c (HBA1c). Results: Out of the 100 patients included into the study, 35% used glucometer for SMBG. The mean values of fasting blood glucose in glucometer users and nonusers were 117.78 and 173.08, respectively (P = 0.043). The mean values of postprandial blood glucose in glucometer users and nonusers were 169.64 and 223.65, respectively (P = 0.042). HbA1c levels above 6.5 were seen in 49% of glucometer users and 54% of glucometer nonusers. More than three episodes/month of severe hypoglycemia were seen only in those who did not use glucometer and amounted to 23% of people in that group. Conclusions: The study concluded that the use of glucometer for SMBG improves glycemic control in patients of diabetes mellitus. The results also showed a decline in the number of severe hypoglycemia and hospitalization incidences in the SMBG group.