New report questions glucose self-monitoring among noninsulin-dependent Type 2 diabetes patients

NEW YORK There’s no proof that self monitoring of blood glucose by Type 2 diabetes patients not dependent on insulin produces any benefits, according to a recent report by a German healthcare analysis organization.

The Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care also said in its report that it remained unclear whether blood tests had an advantage over urine tests. Blood glucose monitoring remains important for Type 1 and Type 2 patients who do inject insulin, the report noted.

The report by IQWiG — the organization bases its acronym on its German name — used six trials, but came to the conclusion that the data from the trials were not enough to draw any conclusions on the long-term benefit of glucose self-monitoring among noninsulin-dependent Type 2 diabetes patients.