Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose

elf-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is an important component of the treatment plan of patients with diabetes mellitus.Its use was the subject of an American Diabetes Association Consensus Conference in 1986 that dealt with issues regarding the intended and actual use of SMBG, the design, accuracy, and reliability of SMBG devices, how well patients were instructed in SMBG, and how patients and health care providers used the information generated to influence metabolic control.Over the ensuing 7 years, these devices have improved in portability and ease of use.Diabetes educators are teaching an everincreasing number of people with diabetes to use SMBG.In addition, the recent publication of the results of the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial has given validity to the concept that better metabolic control can significantly reduce the onset and progression of the microvascular and neuropathic complications of insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM).