Equivalence of Earlobe Site Blood Glucose Testing With Finger Stick

Abstract

This study determines if there are significant differences in blood glucose sampled at the earlobe relative to fingertip sites. A 50-participant cross-sectional comparative design was conducted at a 480-bed community hospital. Four trained data collectors obtained demographic information and blood glucose samples from both the fingertip and earlobe sites. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, paired t test, and the Bland Altman technique, assessing agreement between two methods of clinical measurements. Results indicate that the mean finger stick glucose result was statistically significantly greater than the mean earlobe glucose result. The Bland Altman plot did not demonstrate clinical significance. Results suggest that the earlobe may be a viable alternative to exclusive fingertip site when frequent sampling is necessary in acutely ill patients and demonstrate the importance of the role of the clinical bedside nurse in implementing evidence-based nursing practice related to diabetes treatment and management.

Impact of physical exercise on sensor performance of the FreeStyle Libre intermittently viewed continuous glucose monitoring system in people with Type 1 diabetes: a randomized crossover trial

“…Additionally, despite it having being shown that blood glucose collected from the earlobe in comparison to the fingertip does not result in clinically relevant differences under resting conditions [13], a sampling-site bias might be present, especially in exercise conditions [14]. Additionally, despite it having being shown that blood glucose collected from the earlobe in comparison to the fingertip does not result in clinically relevant differences under resting conditions [13], a sampling-site bias might be present, especially in exercise conditions [14].…”

Accuracy of Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) during Continuous and High-Intensity Interval Exercise in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

“…Our results cannot be transferred to resting conditions, as we analyzed CGM accuracy only during the exercise sessions. Additionally it has to be considered that the earlobe is not a usual site to perform capillary BG tests; although, it was already shown that differences in earlobe and fingertip glucose did not demonstrate any clinical significant difference [41]. …”

Hemoglicoteste: influência dos locais de punção sobre os níveis de glicose e intensidade de dor

“…A ponta do lóbulo da orelha é um local em potencial, que tem sido usada ocasionalmente por enfermeiros quando o teste do dedo é recusado ou está difícil [6][7][8] . Para muitos pacientes, a técnica de monitoramento pelo lóbulo pode ser menos conveniente porque necessita de uma segunda pessoa para recolher o sangue 7 .…”

“…Locais alternativos para testes de glicemia têm sido estudados, entretanto, poucos estudos incluem alguns com o lóbulo da orelha [6][7][8] . Bina et al 9 encontraram em um estudo de pacientes diabéticos tipo 2 que o teste de localização alternativo foi consistente com os resultados da glicemia do dedo em jejum e duas horas após refeição.…”