Impact of blood glucose monitoring on diabetic control: obstacles and interventions

Despite frequent use in the management of diabetes mellitus, self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is not achieving its potential therapeutic impact. Among the behavioral factors which may interfere with the improvement of diabetic control through SMBG are noncompliance and inadequate utilization of obtained blood glucose data. This paper reviews the research concerning these issues, including estimates of the prevalence and clinical significance of each of these limiting factors and an evaluation of assessment and intervention strategies which have been investigated. The methodological problems encountered in attempts to demonstrate that SMBG behaviors affect diabetic control are discussed. Although the existing research literature provides very weak evidence linking SMBG behaviors and diabetic control, the author asserts that it is premature to conclude that such relationships cannot be established and maintained.