Effects of physician’s diabetes self-management education using Japan Association of Diabetes Education and Care Diabetes Education Card System Program and a self-monitoring of blood glucose readings analyzer in individuals with type 2 diabetes: An exploratory, open-labeled, prospective randomized clinical trial

Aims/Introduction: This 6-month, single-center, prospective, open-labeled, randomized trial was designed to investigate whether physicians’ diabetes self-management education using an education tool developed by the Japan Association of Diabetes Education and Care and a self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) analyzer improves glycemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes receiving insulin and SMBG. Materials and Methods: Participants were randomized into intervention (I) and control (C) groups. Both groups received physicians’ diabetes self-management education at each hospital visit, whereas the Japan Association of Diabetes Education and Care education tool and the SMBG readings analyzer was used in group I, but not group C. All participants filled out a diabetes treatment-related quality of life form and an original questionnaire on SMBG use with five questions (Q1–Q5) before and after the study period. Results: A total of 76 individuals were recruited and randomized. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was significantly improved during the study period in group I, whereas no significant change was observed in group C. The change in HbA1c was greater in group I, although it did not reach statistical significance. The diabetes treatment-related quality of life total score was not changed in either group. Interestingly, the score of Q1 (“How important is SMBG to you?”) in the SMBG questionnaire was unchanged in group I, whereas it was significantly decreased in group C. HbA1c change was independently associated with changes in insulin dose and SMBG Q1 score. Conclusion: Greater HbA1c-lowering by physicians’ diabetes self-management education using the Japan Association of Diabetes Education and Care education tool and SMBG analyzer in individuals with type 2 diabetes receiving insulin and SMBG was suggested, but not confirmed.