The Value of Home Monitoring Kits in Diabetes, Hypertension, Asthma, and Oral Anticoagulation Therapy

Abstract

Home monitoring devices encourage people to actively participate in their health care management. In addition, access to more data may help to make better decisions, which may ultimately lead to better health outcomes. The primary focus of this article will be on blood glucose, blood pressure, prothrombin time, and peak flow meters. The empirical evidence on the accuracy and usefulness of these home monitoring devices is discussed. Based on the evidence from the literature, erroneous reporting of the readings by the patients is a major concern. Therefore, primary practitioners are encouraged to consult with patients’ log books and their meters (if memory feature is available), instead of relying solely on self-reported values. Patients also need to be educated and trained adequately about the proper measurement technique and relevance and interpretation of the readings. Continuing education is necessary regarding the behavioral and therapeutic changes patients should carry out in accordance with performing regular home monitoring.

Self-reported medication and lifestyle adherence in Hungarian patients with Type 2 diabetes

“…Self-monitoring blood glucose While the usage of capillary blood glucose meters is a standardly accepted procedure for patients with Type 1 diabetics, this practice is still open to debate for those Type 2 diabetic patients who do not receive insulin-treatment [36][37][38]. The ADA (American Diabetes Association) a n = Number of drug purchasing non-adherents (more than one answer could be marked).…”