Effects of Self‐Monitoring of Blood Glucose on Quality of Life in Elderly Diabetic Patients

Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) has been associated with improvement in diabetes knowledge and glycemic control in young and middle-aged diabetic patients. This study investigated the influences of SMBG on the quality of life in 20 older diabetic individuals, aged 60 to 79 years with duration of diabetes 15.6 +/- 2.3 (SD) years. Questionnaires (Cronbach's alpha reliability = .93) were administered regarding the impact of four aspects of diabetic self-care--general factors, diet, medications, and monitoring blood or urine--on quality of life. Each category was scored separately. Data were analyzed comparing individuals using SMBG with those monitoring glycosuria. Older patients showed acceptance of SMBG with respect to performance, lack of time consumption, ease of record keeping, and less embarrassment. Individuals performing SMBG reported better medication compliance than those monitoring glycosuria. No differences were observed between the two groups for general factors, diet, or the overall perception of quality of life. Both groups of patients reported that diabetes and performing self-care techniques did not significantly interfere with their life-style. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that self-care techniques, such as SMBG, do not negatively influence the perception of quality of life in older people.