Study of Blood Glucose Testing Data: Principles of Measurement and Technology

Abstract

Blood  glucose  testing  (BGT)  by  glucose  meters is  useful  for  glycemic  control  in

diabetic patients to avoid complications. BGT is the most widely used point of care testing in

hospitals and hospitals for health promotion in Thailand. The objective of this article was to

update the information on blood glucose  testing by glucose  meter focusing  on principle of

measurement, enzyme,  co-enzyme,  and important characteristic data that were  indicated in

publications and/or in packaging inserts. Data for 106 glucose meters that were used in Thailand’s

hospital  settings  and published  in  research  articles  from  2011-2016   were  reviewed  and

summarized. The most commonly used technology principle for BGT by glucose  meter was

GDH-amperometry  (54.7%).  Capillary blood was a common sample for all BGT by glucose

meter and only 20.4% were applicable with other blood sample types. Three co-enzymes, i.e.,

NAD, PQQ, and FAD were found in current technology of BGT by glucose meters. Pyrrolo-

quinolinequinone (PQQ) was the mostly frequently used coenzyme for BGT (41.4%). Approxi-

mately  seventy-five  percent of  glucose  meter displayed  results within  5  seconds.  Storage

temperature for blood glucose test strips ranges from 4 to 30 °C (45.5%). Blood sample volume

used for BGT by glucose meters ranges from 0.3-0.5  ul (63.6%).

In conclusion,  one hundred and six glucose  meters were operated by two measuring

systems: photometric and amperometric while the latter was more commonly used. These two

systems could be used with either GOx or GDH. Review from data published in journals from

2011-2016 indicated that the technique most frequently employed for glucose meters in Thailand’s

hospital settings is GDH-PQQ-amperometry.