Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is known to be valuable for proper diabetes management. However, the optimal frequency of SMBG has been debated. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between frequency of SMBG and the degree of glycemic control and the magnitude of weight reduction in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity enrolled in an intensive lifestyle intervention (ILI).

We evaluated 36 patients with T2D and obesity (mean age 56±9 years, 56% female) enrolled in the Weight Achievement and Intensive Treatment (Why WAIT) program, a 12-week multidisciplinary ILI clinical program between May 2016 and December 2017. Participants were asked to test their blood glucose before each meal, at bed time, before and after exercise, occasionally postprandial and when needed. At baseline, average body weight was 105.7±20.9 kg, BMI 36±6 kg/m2, HbA1c 7.8±1.3%, and 41% of participants were treated with insulin. Based on their actual frequency of SMBG per day, participants were divided into tertiles. The lowest tertile tested on average 2.3±0.6 times/day (range: 1.1-2.9 times). The middle tertile tested on average 3.3±0.3 times/day (range: 3.0-3.9 times). The highest tertile tested on average 5.2±1 times/day (range: 4.0-7.7 times). HbA1c and body weight did not differ between tertiles at baseline.

At 12 weeks, HbA1c changed by -0.9±0.3% (p=0.01), -1.2±0.4% (p<0.01) and -1.7±0.5% (p=0.001) respectively from baseline. Body weight changed by -7.6±3.2 kg (-7.13%), -9.2±6.4 kg (-8.7%), and -10.6±4.1 kg (-9.9%) respectively from baseline (p<0.01 for all). The reduction in HbA1c and body weight was significantly better in the highest tertile of SMBG in comparison to the lowest tertile (p<0.for both).

In conclusion, patients with T2D and obesity who test their blood glucose more often during ILI achieve significantly better HbA1c reduction and significantly higher percentage of weight loss.

Disclosure

S. Tomah: None. N. Mahmoud: None. A. Mottalib: None. K. Alsibai: None. S. Ashrafzadeh: None. T. Elseaidy: None. O. Hamdy: Research Support; Self; Abbott. Advisory Panel; Self; AstraZeneca. Consultant; Self; Merck & Co., Inc.. Research Support; Self; Novo Nordisk A/S. Stock/Shareholder; Self; Healthimation, LLC.. Consultant; Self; Sanofi-Aventis.

© 2018 by the American Diabetes Association.
2018
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