Self-monitoring advised for sulphonylureas

Patients with type 2 diabetes treated with a sulphonylurea should be offered self-monitoring of blood glucose to enable them to identify hypoglycaemic episodes, according to a new report by NHS Diabetes (www.diabetes. nhs.uk).

    The report, reviewing self-monitoring for noninsulin-treated type 2 diabetes, also confirms NICE’s recommendation for self-monitoring when there is an agreed purpose or goal. Monitoring should be supported by structured education; disinvestment from monitoring by patients who don’t need to should be used to fund education and training.