Effectiveness of Self-Management of Blood Glucose in Improving Glycemic Control in Patients With Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is a widely used strategy in diabetes management, allowing patients to track their glucose levels and make informed decisions regarding diet, medication, and lifestyle adjustments. The effectiveness of SMBG remains debated. Structured SMBG, which involves systematic monitoring with clear guidance, has been suggested to provide greater benefits compared to unstructured SMBG. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of SMBG in improving glycemic control among diabetic patients. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar. Studies were included if they examined SMBG interventions and reported glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) as an outcome. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies were assessed for quality using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager (RevMan, The Cochrane Collaboration, Copenhagen, Denmark) to calculate mean differences (MD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). The comprehensive database search yielded 7,667 records, of which 22 articles were selected for review and analysis. The meta-analysis of 22 studies showed that SMBG significantly reduced HbA1c levels compared to no SMBG (MD = -0.32%, 95% CI: -0.44% to -0.20%). Structured SMBG resulted in a greater reduction (MD = -0.25%, 95% CI: -0.41% to -0.09%) compared to unstructured SMBG. In summary, we showed that SMBG is effective in lowering HbA1c, particularly when structured protocols are followed. Healthcare providers should promote structured SMBG, along with patient education, to enhance adherence and optimize glycemic control. Further long-term studies are necessary to evaluate long-term benefits.