Impact of Self-monitoring of Blood Glucose on Glycaemic Control in Type 2 Diabetic Nigerians who Reside in Lagos

Background: Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose (SMBG) is a vital constituent of diabetes care. The aim of this study was to document the practice, determinants and effects of SMBG in our setting. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 249 adult type 2 diabetic subjects who attended the diabetes clinic of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital Ikeja. The statistical analysis was done with independent t-test and logistic regression. A P-value of less than 0.05 was taken as significant. Results: The age of the study subjects ranged from 28 years to 87 years. The mean + S.D age is 62 + 11 years. The mean + S.D BMI of the study subjects is 27.79 + 4.73 Kgm2. 159 (64%) of the patients practised SMBG while 90 (36%) patients did not. Twenty-two (14%) of the patients have been practising SMBG for less than 12 months, 71 (46%) patients for 12 - 36 months, while 60 (39%) of them for more than 36 months. 36 (23%) of the patients did SMBG daily, 58 (37%) patients twice weekly, 48 (30%) patients weekly, 11 (7%) patients monthly, 5 (3%) patients did it for unspecified time period while 1 (1%) patient was unable to report the time period. SMBG practice was associated with better short term glycemic control P= < 0.001, OR= 0.399 and 95% CI 0.229-0.693. Predictors of SMBG were male sex, higher socioeconomic status and insulin therapy. More male patients (72.7%) practice SMBG compared to female patients (59.9%) p-value 0.051. The detection of chronic complications of DM was comparable between those who practice SMBG and those who do not. Conclusion: SMBG practice is significantly associated with better short term glycaemic control.