[How I assess ... home glycemic control in diabetic patients]

Self blood glucose monitoring is now a key element in the management of diabetic patients. However, in order to improve overall blood glucose control, self-monitoring should lead to self-management. This implies that the patient modifies his/her behaviour (diet, exercise, oral antidiabetic agents, insulin doses) to ameliorate the metabolic status according to his/her blood glucose measurements. While the place of home blood glucose monitoring is rather well defined in type 1 diabetes, it remains more controversial in type 2 diabetes.