Three Approaches to Glucose Monitoring in Non-insulin Treated Diabetes

For the nearly 75% of patients living with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) that do not use insulin, decisions regarding self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) are unclear. SMBG testing is a resource intensive activity without firmly established patient benefits. While SMBG holds great promise for sparking favorable behavior change, the potential for no benefit or even patient harm must be acknowledged. Possible negative effects on patient quality of life must be more closely examined along with the speculative benefits of SMBG in non-insulin treated T2DM. Among studies examining this issue a general consensus is evolving; while SMBG may or may not be useful, its value can only be fully appreciated when the SMBG results are provided to patients in a useful manner. The overarching goal of this proposal is to assess the impact of three different SMBG testing approaches on patient-centered outcomes in patients with non-insulin treated T2DM within the real-world, clinic setting. In this pragmatic trial, 450 patients will be randomized to one of the following three SMBG testing regimens: 1) no SMBG testing, 2) once daily SMBG testing with standard patient feedback consisting of glucose values being immediately reported to the patient through the glucose meter, and 3) once daily SMBG testing with enhanced patient feedback consisting of glucose values being immediately reported to the patient plus automated, tailored feedback messaging. The first two arms represent common SMBG testing approaches. The third arm is an enhanced, patient-centered approach to SMBG testing. SMBG values will be evaluated at routine clinic visits over 52 weeks.

Within the context of a controlled and randomized but pragmatic trial, we seek to answer the following question: does SMBG testing make sense for Non-insulin treated (NIT) diabetes mellitus (DM) patients in terms of either A1c values or Health-related Quality of Life (QOL). We will also examine whether or not patients with different baseline characteristics might see different outcomes from three SMBG testing approaches. To achieve our goal of testing SMBG options in community-based primary care practices, the study has been designed to minimize as much as possible any interruptions in or alterations to standard daily patient care. We will recruit 450 patients from five primary care practices. Patients will be followed for one year. During routine clinic visits, their health care providers will be guided to modify therapies based on American Diabetes Association (ADA) guidelines, which focus on A1c values and SMBG values if available.

Study Arms Two of the three study arms were chosen to reflect existing, widely used options for patients with NIT DM. Arm 3, described below, of this trial is particularly novel in that it tests the potential benefit of new technology now available to these patients; namely, wireless transmission of blood glucose test results accompanied by instantaneous tailored feedback. While this option may hold great promise for patients and their providers, data supporting this are lacking. The results of this study will inform consumers and providers about whether this new technology can support efforts to alter behaviors in a way that results in improved A1c values or better quality of life. Particularly appealing is that this approach employs technology that supports more efficient use of SMBG values by both patients and their providers. In terms of their pragmatic 'fit', all three groups fit easily into current practice at the participating practices. For example, they do not require extra clinic visits (other than possibly the initial recruitment assessment), and while staff will need to download glucose reports for patients in Arms 2 and 3, this will be a very simple, streamlined procedure. In terms of risks to patients, none of the three groups puts patients at any additional risk, because all three are versions of 'standard practice' for this patient population and doctors are free to alter therapies and testing schedules as they normally would.

* Arm 1: No SMBG Testing This group represents an approach to SMBG that is supported by research and followed by many primary care providers. Patients randomized to this group will not be provided a meter, but will receive standardized education detailing the signs and symptoms of hyper- and hypoglycemia and information regarding lifestyle approaches for the maintenance of normoglycemia. If they have previously been obtaining SMBG values, they will be asked to discontinue. Healthcare providers and staff will be alerted that these patients are in the no testing arm and will be encouraged to maintain treatment fidelity except where patient safety is a concern. Study coordinators will provide patients with both written and oral educational information supporting the approach of no SMBG testing, with a view toward reconciling any messages they may have received in the past or will receive in the future regarding SMBG. This education will recur every 3-6 months at routine clinic visits (the recommended follow-up frequency for persons with T2DM) by their health care providers. A1c will be obtained during these visits as per usual care and providers will adjust medication and lifestyle recommendations as they see fit. Providers will be given an algorithm based on current ADA recommendations relating to A1c results to use as a guide for treatment modification.
* Arm 2: Once Daily Testing with Standard Feedback This group represents an approach taken by a large proportion of NIT DM patients in the US. At the assessment visit, patients will be given the study glucose meter and testing supplies, along with instruction for their use. They will be asked to test once daily and at different times of the day on a rotating basis, in order to obtain a representative distribution of blood glucose values over time. The meter will have wireless capability such that it will transmit both the SMBG result and the time of testing to a secure server. Subjects will also note the circumstances of their test times on the glucose meter (e.g., fasting, 2 hours post meal, etc.) and this information will also be sent to the server. As with Arm 1, Arm 2 patients will receive training in hyper- and hypoglycemia and approaches for maintaining normoglycemia. They will also receive training and written material instructing them in how to interpret their SMBG readings and actions they might take in response to those values. SMBG results will be reviewed at all clinic visits (3-6 month intervals) by the primary care provider using a print out of glucose meter values downloaded and analyzed wirelessly. During the early phase of the project, a streamlined system will be developed to allow participating clinic staff to download the SMBG values with minimal effort and create the accompanying SMBG report for the patient's provider. This customized report, detailing blood glucose averages, ranges and standard deviations, will be generated for all group 2 participants and given to their provider prior to each routine clinic visit. The report will identify problematic glucose values (hypo- and hyperglycemia) and suggested approaches for addressing these problems. Providers will review the results with the participant and make appropriate treatment recommendations based upon blood glucose trends. The recommendations in the report will be driven by an algorithm for treatment modification based upon ADA guidelines which will include suggestions for both lifestyle and pharmacotherapy adjustments. At the end of each clinic visit, patients will be instructed by their primary care provider to continue once daily testing. Using shared decision-making and standardized testing recommendations, the health care provider and the patient will jointly determine the testing approach (e.g., timing of once daily testing) the patient will employ over the next monitoring period.
* Arm 3: Once Daily Testing with Enhanced Feedback This Arm represents an enhanced, patient-centered approach. Participants randomized to Arm 3 will, like the Arm 2 participants, be instructed to test once daily and at different times of the day, and their glucose values will be transmitted wirelessly to a server. However, for Arm 3 participants, the blood glucose values will be analyzed automatically each time a value is transmitted. Based upon the value, instantaneous personalized feedback will be provided via wireless messaging to the patients' glucose meters. These messages will not include suggestions for pharmacological therapy modification but will be motivational in nature, including suggestions to enhance efforts at lifestyle management and adherence to pharmacologic therapy if prescribed. At weekly intervals, an analysis of the SMBG values from the previous week will be sent to the glucose meter highlighting trends and identifying specific problematic times. Subjects will also receive messages reminding them of upcoming clinic visits (beginning 1 week prior to their scheduled visit). As with Arm 2, SMBG results and customized reports will be downloaded and reviewed at all clinic visits by the primary care provider. In addition, a summary of the messages sent wirelessly to the patient since the most recent visit will be included. Like the glucose values report, this message report will be given to all providers at the beginning of the clinic visit and providers will be asked to also review these results with the patient. Providers will make appropriate treatment recommendations based upon blood glucose trends and messages. Report recommendations will be driven by an algorithm for treatment modification based upon ADA treatment guidelines and include suggestions for lifestyle and pharmacotherapy adjustments. At the end of the clinic visit, patients will be instructed by their primary care provider to continue testing their blood glucose once daily and collaboratively determine the testing approach (e.g., timing of once daily testing) the patient will employ over the next monitoring period.

Potential Alterations to the Testing Recommendations: Providers will be strongly encouraged to maintain SMBG testing fidelity based upon the treatment arm to which a patient is randomized; however, if a provider believes that testing should occur more frequently due to concern for serious unrecognized hypo- or hyperglycemia or for any other reason, testing recommendations may be modified. This approach provides for patient safety and preserves the pragmatic nature of the trial. Glucose testing strips will be provided to participants on a quarterly basis. If a provider deems that SMBG testing should occur more frequently than what is recommended to the patient based on the study arm to which he or she has been randomized, the health care provider must write the prescription for the additional test strips and the strips must be paid for out-of-pocket or through insurance. Following an intention to treat model, patients who opt not to follow the testing regimen to which they were randomly assigned will be encouraged to remain in the study. Any deviations from the assigned SMBG testing protocol will be readily known via the glucose meter reports.

Mixed methods approach. A mixed methods approach in which both qualitative and quantitative data are collected provides advantages when exploring complex research questions such as the ones posed in this proposal. The quantitative data will allow us to assess changes in objective measures, while the qualitative data will provide a deeper understanding of patients' and providers' experiences with the various components of SMBG testing arms (e.g., the meters, SMBG results, personalized messaging, downloadable reports, treatment algorithms, etc.) It is also the case that, while some patients are interested in seeing hard facts and figures, others prefer testimonials from patients like themselves. The mixed methods approach enables us to provide both types of information, increasing the effectiveness and uptake of our dissemination efforts.

Recruitment and randomization procedures. Patient Recruitment: All potentially eligible patients expressing interest in the study will complete an initial screening phone call. The call will take about 15 minutes, during which a member of the study team will describe the study, answer questions, and conduct a short set of simple screening to determine eligibility. Eligible patients who remain interested in participation will complete an assessment visit with a research coordinator. To decrease patient burden and further engage participating practices, assessment visits will occur at the patient's primary care office. Assessments will be separate from their appointment with their primary care provider, and may or may not occur on the same day as a regularly scheduled clinic visit, though for patient convenience we will make every effort to coordinate the assessments with a regular clinic visits. During these assessments, the research coordinator will review the study details in greater depth, verify all inclusion and exclusion criteria, and obtain written informed consent.

Patient Randomization: After providing informed consent, baseline A1c, and completing all baseline study questionnaires, participants will be randomized to one of the three arms using sequentially numbered, opaque, sealed envelopes. The research coordinator will review the treatment assignment with the patient, using a standardized script, provide the training and supplies necessary for participation in that study arm and answer any remaining questions.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* A diagnosis of type 2 diabetes
* Age \> 30
* An established patient at the participating UNC Physicians Network (UNCPN) practice who identifies a UNCPN health care provider within that practice as their primary provider of diabetes care.
* A1c \>6.5% but \<9.5% within the 6 months preceding the screening call/visit, as obtained from the patient's medical record.
* Willing to comply with the results of random assignment into a study group.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Currently sees or plans to see an endocrinologist or other diabetes specialist in the next year.
* Use of insulin
* Is or plans to become pregnant in the next 12 months.
* Plans to relocate in the next 12 months.
* Has other conditions (e.g. renal or cardiovascular disease, poor visual acuity), other factors (e.g. frailty,) or comorbidities (e.g. cancer) that might put the patient at risk when following study protocols.
* No history of significant issues with known or suspected hypoglycemia or any history of "severe" hypoglycemia (requiring assistance from a third party).