Timing, frequency, and glycaemic target values for self‐monitoring in adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus

This Cochrane systematic review examined the effects of different self-monitoring strategies for blood glucose in adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Reviewers searched for studies addressing timing, frequency, and glycaemic target values for self-monitoring. Three studies involving 16,481 participants from Europe and North America were included. No studies investigated the timing of self-monitoring or glycaemic target values. Three studies evaluated the frequency of self-monitoring and its effect on haemoglobin A1c. Results suggest that more frequent self-monitoring may be associated with lower haemoglobin A1c levels, although the evidence is very uncertain. In a randomised controlled trial with 123 participants, haemoglobin A1c was 0.66% lower with more frequent monitoring. Observational studies with 1,159 and 15,199 participants also showed lower haemoglobin A1c values with higher monitoring frequency. No study evaluated effects on hypoglycaemia, diabetic ketoacidosis, or quality of life.