Blood Glucose Monitoring And Its Determinants In Diabetic Patients:A Cross-Sectional Study In Shandong,China

Introduction:The aim of this study was to explore the status of blood glucose monitoring in diabetic patients in Shandong Province,China.To explore the prevalence of blood glucose monitoring in diabetes patients by professionals in China,and to identify the factors associated with blood glucose monitoring.Methods:This was a cross-sectional survey conducted from 31 August to 12 October,2016,in Shandong Province.A multi-stage stratified cluster sampling method was used to select participants.A total of 2,183 diabetic patients were included in the analysis.The inclusion criteria were:(1)diagnosis of diabetes based on WHO criteria for>1 year;(2)age of ≥ 18 years;and(3)ability to understand the questions on the questionnaire.All subjects were interviewed face-to-face using a structured questionnaire.Data was described using frequencies and proportions wherever appropriate.Univariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the effect of each potential factor on a patient’s blood glucose monitoring compliance,and multiple binary logistic regressions were performed to determine factors associated with blood glucose monitoring.Results:Of the participants,51.4%tested their blood glucose level more than once a month.The univariate logistic regression model showed that there were eleven variables significantly associated with frequency of blood glucose monitoring:education level,employment status,residence,household income,exercise,self-reported health,physical examination,duration of diagnosis,anti-diabetic drug or insulin injection,diabetic related education and comorbidity.The multivariate logistic regression model showed that seven variables were significantly associated with the frequency of blood glucose monitoring:education level,residence,household income,self-reported health,physical examination,anti-diabetic drug or insulin injection,and comorbidity.Conclusions:The level of blood glucose monitoring among diabetic patients in Shandong Province is low.Based on these results we recommend that the cost of blood glucose monitoring by professionals in laboratories be reimbursed or at least reduced and that diabetic patients be encouraged to undergo regular physical examinations.