Author(s)

B. Shivananda Nayak, Khateija Gowrie, Renelle Romano, Carl Spencer, Domonique Noel, Hellen Bissoon, Ikageng Dipatene, Nadia Mahabir, Rissa Ragbir, Shalane Xavier

Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.

This study was done to assess whether self monitoring of blood glucose is associated with better glycaemic control in type 2 diabetic Trinidadians. Data was collected from 146 type 2 diabetics via interviews and medical files. Variables extracted included fasting blood glucose, HbA1c and lipid profile. Recent users of the glucometer had better glycemic control compared with longstanding users (HbA1c: 8.4% ± 0.28% vs 9.4% ± 0.62%). Diabetics using a glucometer for >11 years had the highest cholesterol (234 ± 27mg/dL) while those using it 6 months to 5 yrs had the lowest values (206 ± 8 mg/dL). Using the glucometer occasionally or once a week had little impact on these indices. Usage of insulin preparation was positively correlated with HbA1c (r = 0.295; p = 0.001) while those relying on oral hypoglycaemic agents showed a negative correlation (r = -0.265). Further, those who took their medication as prescribed had a lower HbA1c than those who took their medication occasionally. Ironically, HbA1c fell with increasing duration between clinic visits with those visiting annually having the lowest HbA1c (9.0% ± 0.2% vs 7.1% ± 0.7%). Compliance with lifestyle and exercise resulted in lower HbA1c and blood lipids. Poor client education on glucometer usage, administration of insulin and non-compliance with diet and exercise were associated with higher HbA1c.

Glucometer; Blood Glucose; Glycemic Control; Lipid Profile

Shivananda Nayak, B. , Gowrie, K. , Romano, R. , Spencer, C. , Noel, D. , Bissoon, H. , Dipatene, I. , Mahabir, N. , Ragbir, R. and Xavier, S. (2012) Self monitoring of blood glucose and its association with glycaemic control and lipid levels in type 2 diabetic patients aged 40 - 75 in Trinidad and Tobago. Journal of Diabetes Mellitus, 2, 294-300. doi: 10.4236/jdm.2012.23046.