Medical Journal of the Islamic Republic Of Iran

en The Iranian Consensus on Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose: An Expert Consensus Endocrinology Endocrinology Applicable Applicable Background: Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) has long been a key aspect of diabetes management. However, with recent advancements in continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), high-income countries have increasingly shifted toward CGM use. In contrast, due to challenges in CGM accessibility and affordability in resource-limited settings, SMBG remains the most widely used method. The low uptake of SMBG in such contexts, despite its importance in diabetes self-management, highlights the urgent need for a national consensus in Iran.    Methods: A multidisciplinary team of Iranian experts in endocrinology and diabetes care, comprising members of the Gabric Diabetes Association, the Iranian Diabetes Society, and faculty from leading medical universities, developed the first Iranian expert consensus on SMBG. To facilitate implementation in clinical practice, the consensus was officially endorsed by the Ministry of Health and Medical Education of Iran.    Results: Given the affordability challenges in Iran, this consensus offers recommendations for both Standard and Limited Care settings to promote a more structured and effective approach to SMBG for healthcare providers and people living with diabetes.    Conclusion: A nationally developed SMBG guideline has been developed in Iran, offering frequency and timing recommendations based on diabetes type, treatment regimen, and level of glycemic control, aligned with international guidelines. Given the crucial role of SMBG in diabetes care, this national consensus aims to be implemented in clinical practice and policy-making. Background: Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) has long been a key aspect of diabetes management. However, with recent advancements in continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), high-income countries have increasingly shifted toward CGM use. In contrast, due to challenges in CGM accessibility and affordability in resource-limited settings, SMBG remains the most widely used method. The low uptake of SMBG in such contexts, despite its importance in diabetes self-management, highlights the urgent need for a national consensus in Iran.    Methods: A multidisciplinary team of Iranian experts in endocrinology and diabetes care, comprising members of the Gabric Diabetes Association, the Iranian Diabetes Society, and faculty from leading medical universities, developed the first Iranian expert consensus on SMBG. To facilitate implementation in clinical practice, the consensus was officially endorsed by the Ministry of Health and Medical Education of Iran.    Results: Given the affordability challenges in Iran, this consensus offers recommendations for both Standard and Limited Care settings to promote a more structured and effective approach to SMBG for healthcare providers and people living with diabetes.    Conclusion: A nationally developed SMBG guideline has been developed in Iran, offering frequency and timing recommendations based on diabetes type, treatment regimen, and level of glycemic control, aligned with international guidelines. Given the crucial role of SMBG in diabetes care, this national consensus aims to be implemented in clinical practice and policy-making. Iran, Diabetes Mellitus, Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring, Consensus, Resource-Limited Settings 1316 1322 http://mjiri.iums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-9622-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Seyed Adel Jahed adeljahed@yahoo.com 200319475328460094989 200319475328460094989 No Gabric Diabetes Education Association, Tehran, Iran Amirkamran Nikoosokhan amirkamranniko@yahoo.com 200319475328460094990 0009-0000-4276-6950 No Iranian Diabetes Society, Tehran, Iran Farhad Hosseinpanah farhad.hosseinpanah@gmail.com 200319475328460094991 200319475328460094991 No Obesity Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Alireza Esteghamati esteghamati@tums.ac.ir 200319475328460094992 200319475328460094992 No Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center (EMRC), Vali-Asr Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Hengameh Abdi abdi@endocrine.ac.ir 200319475328460094993 200319475328460094993 No Endocrine Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1985717413, Iran Alireza Amirbaigloo amirbaigloo@gmail.com 200319475328460094994 200319475328460094994 No Practicing in Private Office, Tehran, Iran Mojtaba Malek malekmoj@gmail.com 200319475328460094995 200319475328460094995 No Research Center for Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, Institute of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Sara Sedaghat s.sedaghat68@gmail.com 200319475328460094996 200319475328460094996 Yes Gabric Diabetes Education Association, Tehran, Iran