Efficacy of blood glucose self-monitoring and intensive education in patients with type 2 diabetes not receiving insulin: a pilot study

self monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) plus intensive education. SMBG: patients will receive specific educational interventions to teach them how to perform SMBG, how to modify diet and level of physical activity according to blood glucose levels, and the actions to be undertaken in case of abnormal values (hypoglycemia, particularly elevated glucose levels). Patients will be provided a glucometer and all the material necessary for SMBG. There will be 2 SMBG educational sessions, the first one will be at randomization (150 minutes in duration), and the second session after 1 week (20 minutes in duration). Intensive education: patients will be also instructed to modify their lifestyle habits (diet, physical activity) in order to reach specific goals: weight reduction >=5%, reduction in fat consumption (<30% of daily caloric intake), reduction in saturated fat intake (<10% of daily caloric intake), increase in fiber intake (>=15 gr/1000 Kcal), regular physical activity (>=30 min/daily; >=4 hours/week). The intensive educational sessions will be at the randomization (60 minutes), and after 3 months (60 minutes). The subjects in the intervention group receive both the SMBG and intensive education and standard care too. The educational approach will be standardized and provided by specialist nurses after specific training.