Age-dependent difference in factors affecting choice of system for self-monitoring of blood glucose.

To clarify factors determining the preference for a self-monitoring blood glucose (SMBG) system in patients with diabetes mellitus. A total of 52 Japanese inpatients with diabetes mellitus were recruited into a single-center trial. After the patients got used to one SMBG system, the SMBG system was substituted with another one of the three, and the subjects were given questionnaires. The following parameters were identified as independent factors associated with the preference of SMBG: display (P<0.0001), operation for inserting strips (P=0.0004), and lancing-device operation (P<0.05). When the subjects were divided according to age, the independent variables associated with overall preference in the older group (>or=60 years) were display (P=0.001) and procedure for detaching a used needle (P=0.01), whereas those in the younger group (age<60 years) were operation of the lancing device (P<0.0001), operation to apply blood to strip (P=0.001), and amount of blood (P=0.04). These data suggest that in elderly patients with diabetes, display and detachment of the needle are important factors affecting the choice of SMBG system, whereas younger subjects give weight to skin puncture-related issues in choosing an SMBG system.