Current Practices and Perspectives of Clinicians on Glucose Monitoring in Indian Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract Objective: The primary objective of this survey was to understand clinicians’ practices and perspectives regarding glucose monitoring in Indian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in real-world clinical settings. Methods: This cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey, conducted between January and April 2024, gathered opinions from clinicians across India. Data were analyzed and expressed as descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 310 clinicians participated in the survey. Most clinicians (78.39%) opined that glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was the most used confirmatory test for diabetes. Preference for HbA1c over other tests continued in T2DM patients treated with various antihyperglycemic drug classes, including oral anti-hyperglycemic drugs (OADs, 74.19%) and injectable agents: non-insulin (67.42%) and insulins (premix [46.77%], basal [41.94%], and basal plus ≥1 rapid-acting [40.65%]). Regarding laboratory-based testing, 38.06% and 90.00% of clinicians recommended HbA1c and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) three times per year, respectively, and 76.45% recommended postprandial plasma glucose (PPG) ≥4 times per year. Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) was recommended in >60% T2DM patients on insulin by 51.61% clinicians. Daily 2-point and weekly 7-point SMBG regimens had maximum patient compliance according to 26.45% and 21.29% clinicians, respectively. FPG (among the predefined time-points: fasting, pre-breakfast, post-breakfast, pre-lunch, post-lunch, pre-dinner, post-dinner, bedtime, and midnight blood glucose) was the most frequently recommended time point for self-monitoring in T2DM patients across various pharmacological treatments (OADs [75.48%] and insulins: basal [79.03%], premix [72.26%], and basal plus ≥1 rapid-acting [74.84%]). In T2DM patients, continuous/flash glucose monitoring was suggested by 58.71% clinicians for up to 20% patients on OADs and by 70.97% clinicians for up to 40% of patients on insulin therapy. Conclusion: The survey reveals a multifaceted approach among Indian clinicians regarding glucose monitoring in T2DM patients.