The importance of self-control of glycemia in multimorbid patients with diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by chronic hyperglycemia, which is the result of impaired insulin secretion, the action of insulin, or both of these factors. DM is a special disease, against the background of which there has been an increase in multimorbid/comorbid pathology in recent decades. Numerous studies have demonstrated that multimorbid pathology worsens the course of DM, in turn, DM also has a negative effect on concomitant/combined pathology. Manifestations of concomitant/combined diseases distort the clinical course and complications of DM, and create certain difficulties in its diagnosis and treatment. Self-monitoring of blood glucose levels is an important condition for optimizing hypoglycemic therapy in patients with diabetes, especially for those who are on insulin therapy or those who use oral hypoglycemic drugs that can cause hypoglycemia. Patients who regularly perform glucose self-monitoring have better glycemic control due to their active participation in treatment and lifestyle correction, as well as the possibility of timely correction of therapy by the attending physician as needed. It is important to assess the variability of glycemia as an independent risk factor for the development of severe hypoglycemic conditions, diabetic micro- and macroangiopathy. It is of interest to assess the variability of glycemia through structured self-monitoring of glycemia followed by statistical processing of the data obtained. The review examines the comorbidity/multimorbidity of DM with certain diseases and conditions in which it is advisable to conduct structured self-monitoring of glycemia in order to control glycemia. An important aspect of the technical impact on patients' commitment to self-control and DM therapy is the availability of convenient communication between the patient and the doctor, in particular, the possibility of remote contact via computer and mobile phone. In conclusion, the possibilities of the new model of the Contour range of glucose meters, the Contour Plus One glucose meter, are considered.