The role of glycemic self-control in diabetes management: based on the American Diabetes Association guidelines (2021)

Abstract

Glycemic control represents an integral part of diabetes mellitus (DM) therapy. It is not surprising that diabetes technology is evolving to not only create new routes of insulin administration, but also to improve the measurement of glycemia. A significant number of new glucose monitoring systems have been launched to the market over the past 10 years. Nevertheless, only 30% of patients with type 1 diabetes and very few patients with type 2 diabetes use continuous or flash glucose monitoring. The reason for this is not only the cost and technical difficulties of continuous glucose monitoring, but also its clinical appropriateness. There is indisputable evidence that patients who receive intensified insulin therapy, especially those with type 1 diabetes, need frequent self-monitoring / continuous glucose monitoring. As for patients with type 2 diabetes receiving basal insulin and / or other antihyperglycemic therapy, the data received seem to be contradictory and uncertain. However, most of the recommendations simmer down to the need for self-monitoring of blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. The diabetes technology section of the American Diabetes Association guidelines 2021 goes into details about the role of self-monitoring of blood glucose in diabetes management, including the need for continuous patient education on the principles and rules of self-monitoring, interpretation and practical use of the results of self-monitoring, various standards of glucometers, factors affecting the accuracy of the results.