Objectives: Monitoring glycemic status, as performed by patients and healthy care providers, is considered the cornerstone of diabetes care. Recent studies have shown that fasting plasma glucose (FPG) measurements alone do not provide an overall picture of disease prognosis and associated complications. This study was designed to evaluate the possibility of utilizing post-prandial glucose excursion test as a predictor of glycemic control during treatment with oral hypoglycemic agents in type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Design and methods: This study was carried on 24 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus ranked into good glycemic control group (12 patients) and poor glycemic control group (12patients) according to the criteria of evaluation of FPG. Twelve healthy subjects were selected and served as controls for comparison of the studied parameters. Fasting levels of plasma glucose, C-peptide, glycated hemoglobin and post-prandial glucose excursion profile were measured.
Results: The results indicated that fasting plasma glucose (FPG) can not be used as only predictor for determining proper acute and chronic glycemic control during drug therapy of type 2 D.M. and post-prandial glucose excursion (PPGE) test was recommended as a more suitable procedure for diagnosis and treatment follow up of type 2 D.M. patients.