A Comparative Study of Blood Glucose Level Measurement Between Glucometer and Semi Autoanalyser

Abstract

Background; Glucometers are the excellent tools for self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG). Glucometer is widely used at hospitals and homes as a first line tool to get an idea about the current blood glucose levels. They are important especially in the circumstances where continuous monitoring is mandatory and at decision making levels. Materials and Methods; The Study was Conducted in Department of Biochemistry, Civil Hospital Tarn Taran. Proper informed consent was taken from all the participation, a total of 60 sample were taken. Result; We found that that at very high glucose readings (i.e. in group 3 patients having plasma glucose levels ≥ 251 mg/dl), glucometer overestimates glucose results. So, these values do not accurately reflect actual plasma glucose levels. Conclusion; Blood glucose testing with glucometer is a simple, rapid & cost effective method for glucose monitoring. On the other hand centralized laboratory glucose testing despite higher operational time and cost burden is still more reliable method for diagnosis and management of the patient. Finding in our study suggest that very high glucose values with glucometer do not accurately reflect actual plasma glucose levels; but it overestimates glucose results. So, the routine practice of performing only single testing with glucometers can lead to misdiagnosis. So, readings obtained using glucometers especially at the critical hyperglycemic levels, should be cautiously interpreted and verified with centralized laboratory. Medical professionals should depict diabetic patients the importance of periodic centralized laboratory glucose testing. A further detailed study for comparison of plasma glucose levels using glucometer and GOD-POD method in hypoglycemic patients with a larger sample size is needed.