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Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose in Noninsulin-Treated Diabetes

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SBU Assessment

Presents a comprehensive, systematic assessment of available scientific evidence for effects on health, social welfare or disability. Full assessments include economic, social and ethical impact analyses. Assessment teams include professional practitioners and academics. Before publication the report is reviewed by external experts, and scientific conclusions approved by the SBU Board of Directors.

Published: Report no: 194

Conclusions

The scientific evidence does not show any benefits from systematic self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) with test sticks in people with noninsulin-treated type 2 diabetes. Examples of specific situations where people with noninsulin-treated type diabetes may have reason to use test sticks include symptoms of hypoglycemia, particularly in patients being treated with sulfony-lurea agents and meglininides. Self-monitoring may also be needed for other purposes, eg, educational purposes in conjunction with changes in therapy or acute disease.

A more restrictive use of test sticks in the patient group would reduce costs and would not increase medical risks.

How to cite this report: SBU. Self-monitoring of blood glucose in noninsulin-treated diabetes. Stockholm: Swedish Council on Health Technology Assessment (SBU); 2009. SBU report no 194 (in Swedish).

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