Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose in Noninsulin-treated Type 2 Diabetes Patients in the Valencia Community, Spain

Background: Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) in noninsulin-treated type 2 diabetes patients (T2DM) is a controversial topic. We aimed to describe the SMBG prevalence in noninsulin-treated (NIT) T2DM patients in the Valencia Community (VC) and to analyze factors associated with their use. Method: Cross-sectional study with 573 NIT-T2DM patients from 83 primary care surgeries. Electronic medical records and patient interview were used. We examine associations among patient, doctors and organizational characteristics, and the SMBG indication. Results: 289 (50.4%) of the 573 NIT-T2DM patients used SMBG. In the multivariable analysis SMBG use was associated with age (OR:2.3 for 65-84 and 6.0 for <65 years vs 85+ years old)) the length from diagnosis (OR:2.2 for 10-15 years vs 0-5 years), the number of OAAs prescribed (OR:2.5, 4.1 and 5.7 for 1, 2 or 3+ OAAs vs no treatment with OAAs) and type (with more SMBG prescribed in patients with sulfonylureas and glitazones), glycated haemoglobin figures (OR: 1.9 y 1.6 for 7-8 and >8, vs <7), sedentary behaviour (OR:1.6), obesity (OR:1.5), and housewife status, and chronic respiratory disease antecedents (OR:0.5). After controlling these factors, SMBG use was also associated with the length of doctor's professional practice and some healthcare departments. Conclusions: In the Valencia Community the SMBG use in noninsulin-treated T2DM patients is strongly associated with clinic patient' characteristics, but some non-clinical factors explain part of the variance in their utilization.