1Associate Professor, Dept. of Biochemistry, Rohilkhand Medical College, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh
2Assistant Professor, Dept. of Pharmacology, Rohilkhand Medical College, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh
*Corresponding Author: Email: ayazmallick@yahoo.com
Online published on 23 February, 2018.
Self-monitoring of glucose levels with a hand held glucometer is very popular among the diabetic patients and doctors as it is less traumatic and gives instant results. Capillary blood samples are commonly used for self-monitoring in comparison to venous plasma sample which are used in the diagnostic laboratories.
This study was done to compare the glucose levels of a capillary blood sample determined by a glucometer with the glucose level determined by Glucose Oxidase Peroxidase (GOD-POD) method using a venous plasma sample.
This experimental study was carried out at Rohilkhand Medical College and Hospital.
Two hundred patients were randomly selected for the study. Their venous blood samples were collected in a fluoride containing blood collection tube. The plasma obtained was subjected to GOD-POD test. Simultaneously their capillary blood glucose was also determined by a glucometer.
The data collected was analyzed using SPSS 17.0 version. Data was expressed as mean ± SD. Significance of mean was analyzed using paired t test. P value < 0.05 was considered significant.
Glucose levels determined by a glucometer and GOD-POD method showed very good correlation (r=0.958; p<0.001). However, at very high and low glucose levels, the glucometer significantly under estimated (p=0.014) and over-estimated (p<0.001) the glucose levels respectively.
Although glucometers are effective for routine monitoring of glucose levels, they should be used cautiously in emergency conditions.
Glucose levels, GOD-POD method, Glucometer
