The Prevalence of Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose and Costs of Glucometer Strips in a Nationwide Cohort

摘要

Objective: This study used nationwide data to determine the prevalence of self-monitoring of blood glucose(SMBG) among all non-institutionalized persons living in Norway and to estimate the prevalence of SMBGamong diabetes patients, the frequency and cost of SMBG, and the use of different glucometers.Methods: This retrospective, descriptive study is based on data of sales of glucometer strips to noninstitutionalizedpersons in Norway in 2008. The data included gender, age group, month of purchase, salesplace, type of strips, number of packages dispensed, and cost of strips. Additionally, statistics on sales of insulinand oral antidiabetes medications were obtained from the Norwegian Prescription Database.Results: A total of 96,999 persons purchased strips, a prevalence of 2%. Approximately 70% of diabetes patientspracticed SMBG. An average patient used 1.7 strips per day, and younger patients purchased more strips thanolder patients. Fewer than 50% of patients performed glucose measurements daily. One percent of patients usedmore than 10 strips daily and was accountable for 8% of total costs. Most patients used only one type of strips,but the number of strips purchased increased with the number of different strips. The average annual cost ofstrips was 446 € per person.Conclusions: Two percent of all non-institutionalized inhabitants and an estimated 70% of patients using diabetesmedication purchased SMBG strips. A small percentage of the patients incurred a substantial proportion ofthe costs. This, along with the fact that over half of the patients monitor less than once per day, calls for tighterfollow-up of diabetes patients.