ABSTRACT
Diabetes Mellitus [DM] is the most common chronic and non-communicable disease, with many complications including renal failure, blindness and non traumatic amputation. Prevention of DM is possible through monitoring and control of blood glucose levels. Considering how easy home blood glucose monitoring is, we decided to evaluate the performance of two available glucometers for detection of blood glucose compared with standard laboratory methods. In this study, we compared of capillary blood glucose levels of 402 patients as determined by test strips [Glucometer] with venous blood glucose levels measurements by the enzymatic method [the standard laboratory kit]. Of the 402 patients studied, there were 230 [57.2%] males and 172 [42.8%] females; 65 [16.2%] had past history of DM. Their mean age was 40.2 +/- 14.9 years [range 3-70], mean BMI was 24.4 +/- 3.2 Kg/m2 and mean HOT was 45.4 +/- 4.1 percent. The mean blood glucose measurements reported using the Glucomen glucometer, the Prestic glucometer and the standard laboratory method were 128.0 +/- 45.2mg/dl, 127.4+45.9 mg/dL and 125.3 +/- 43.2 mg/dL, respectively with increase of HCT [polycytemia]; sensivity of devices for detection of hyperglycemia [BS >/= 126 mg/dl] was increased but specificity was decreased [64.7%]. Results obtained using the 2 devices had no differences with the standard method levels. Good correlation was observed between the glucometer and the standard enzymatic method of blood glucose measurements, advocating usage of glucometers at home environments