Abstract
We present a method for the determination of blood glucose using dried filter paper blood spots. To validate this method, we compared our results using filter paper and simultaneously collected venous blood. We demonstrated that there is a linear relationship between the filter paper glucose levels and those determined in whole blood (r = 0.98). There was no significant difference between the results of the two methods (p > 0.05). This method is a cheap alternative which may improve the control of diabetes mellitus, and may also be very useful in the diagnosis of postprandial hypoglycemia and other special situations.
Highlights
The results of the DCCT (Diabetes Control and Complications Trial), a large multicenter prospective trial designed to examine the effect of metabolic control on the development of diabetic complications, recently provided convincing evidence that glycemic control ameliorates such complications[4]
Assessment of the blood glucose levels during the patient's daily activities outside the hospital may be an important aid in diabetes management5.14.15.Several methods have been introduced for this purpose, including urine glucose measurements, glucose oxidase reagent strips and reflectance meters
It is well known that urine glucose measurements are no longer satisfactory as the only means of control outside the hospital'l. 15.therapeutic decisions depend on, among other things, the reliability of the blood glucose determinations[5]
Summary
The results of the DCCT (Diabetes Control and Complications Trial), a large multicenter prospective trial designed to examine the effect of metabolic control on the development of diabetic complications, recently provided convincing evidence that glycemic control ameliorates such complications[4]. When glucose concentrations are determined outside of the laboratory using tests strips and reflectomers, one must ensure perfect quality of the strips, reliable operation of the reflectomer and reproducible analitycal handling of the system 16 In this regard, the socio-cultural and economic status of our patients are severe handicaps to home monitoring. The method is simple and cheap for the patient to use, requires little equipment, and is suitable for intermittent assessment of diurnal blood glucose curves or the temporary assessment of particular problems. The standardization of such a method for blood glucose determination could, provide a new perspective in diabetes management.
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