The American journal of the medical sciences
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Multicenter Study
Contributions of weekly mean blood glucose values to hemoglobin A1c in insulin-treated type 2 diabetes: the Diabetes Outcomes in Veterans Study (DOVES).
Daily self-monitored blood glucose testing is recommended for patients with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes. However, most patients do not test frequently enough for optimal glycemic control. Less frequent testing may be sufficient for assessing glycemic control among stable patients as well as improving patient compliance. The study objective was to evaluate the weekly contribution of glucose readings to hemoglobin (Hb)A1c during an 8-week period of intensified self-monitored blood glucose testing. ⋯ Glycemic control can be efficiently assessed by reviewing at least 5 weeks' worth of monitoring results, focusing on alternate weeks and giving less weight to more remote readings.