[Prevalence and associated factors in 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.