People with diabetes use test strips as a means to check their blood glucose levels. Systematic self-monitoring of blood glucose is necessary for successful insultin therapy aimed at controlling glucose. However, in patients with noninsulin-treated type 2 diabetes, the benefit of systematic self-monitoring has been called into question.

This report reviews the scientific evidence for systematic self-monitoring of blood glucose with test sticks in patients with type 2 diabetes, but who are not receiving insulin therapy. The Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare commissioned the report to use as a basis for their national guidelines on diabetes care. SBU is producing three additional reports within the framework of the National Board of Health and Welfare's guidelines on diabetes -- patient education in managing diabetes, intensive glucose lowering therapy in diabetes, and dietary treatment of diabetes.

Conclusions The scientific evidence does not show any benefits from systematic self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) with test sticks in people with noninsulin-treated type 2 diabetes.

Examples of specific situations where people with noninsulin-treated type 2 diabetes may have reason to use test sticks include symptoms of hypoglycemia, particularly in patients being treated with sulfonylurea agents and meglitinides. Self-monitoring may also be needed for other purposes, e.g., educational purposes in conjunction with changes in therapy or acute disease.

A more restrictive use of test sticks in this patient group would reduce costs and would not increase medical risks.