Glucose meter 1627125 226017891 2008-07-16T13:38:58Z 61.17.11.4 /* Characteristics */ [[Image:glucose meters.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Four generations of blood glucose meter, c. 1993-2005. Sample sizes vary from 30 to 0.3 μl. Test times vary from 5 seconds to 2 minutes (modern meters are typically below 15 seconds).]] A '''glucose meter''' (or '''glucometer''') is a [[medical device]] for determining the approximate concentration of [[glucose]] in the [[blood]]. It is a key element of home [[blood glucose monitoring]] (HBGM) by people with [[diabetes mellitus]] or with proneness to [[hypoglycemia]]. A small drop of blood obtained by pricking the skin with a [[lancet]] is placed on a disposable test strip, which the meter reads and uses to calculate the blood glucose level. The meter then displays the level in mg/dl or mmol/l. Since approximately 1980, a primary goal of the management of [[type 1 diabetes mellitus|type 1 diabetes]] has been the achievement of closer-to-normal levels of glucose in the blood for as much of the time as possible, guided by HBGM several times a day. The benefits include a reduction in the occurrence rate and severity of [[Diabetes mellitus#Long-term complications|long-term complications]] from [[hyperglycemia]] as well as a reduction in the short-term, potentially life-threatening complications of [[diabetic hypoglycemia|hypoglycemia]]. [[Media:[[Media:Example.ogg]][[Media:[[Media:Example.ogg]][[Media:[[Media:Example.ogg]]]]]]]]==Characteristics== * '''Size''': The average size is now approximately the size of the palm of the hand, though some are smaller or larger. They are [[battery (electricity)|battery]]-powered. * '''Test strips''': A consumable element containing chemicals that react with glucose in the drop of blood is used for each measurement. For some models this element is a plastic ''test strip'' with a small spot impregnated with [[glucose oxidase]] and other components. Each strip can only be used once and is then discarded. Instead of strips, some models use discs that may be used for several readings. :* '''Coding''': Since test strips may vary from batch to batch, some models require the user to enter in a code that may be found on the vial of test strips, or a chip that comes with the test strip. By entering the coding or chip into the glucose meter, the meter will be calibrated to that batch of test strips. However, if this process is carried out incorrectly, the meter reading can be up to 4mmol/L inaccurate. The implications of an incorrectly coded meter can be serious for patients actively managing their diabetes. For miscoded meters, the probability of making an insulin dose error of 2 units is 50%. The probability of making an insulin dose error of 3 units is 24%, compared to 0.49% when using a no coding meter. This may place patients at increased risk of hypoglycaemia * '''Volume of blood sample''': The size of the drop of blood needed by different models varies from 0.3 to 10 μl. (Older models required larger blood samples, usually defined as a "hanging drop" from the fingertip.) Smaller volume requirements reduce the frequency of unproductive pricks. :* '''Alternative site testing''': Smaller drop volumes have enabled "alternate site testing" &mdash; pricking the forearms or other less sensitive areas instead of the fingertips. Although less uncomfortable, readings obtained from forearm blood lag behind fingertip blood in reflecting rapidly changing glucose levels in the rest of the body. * '''Testing times''': The times it takes to read a test strip may range from 3 to 60 seconds for different models. * '''Display''': The glucose value in mg/dl or mmol/l is displayed in a small window. The preferred measurement unit varies by country: mg/dl are preferred in the US, mmol/l in Canada and Europe. To convert mmol/l of glucose to mg/dl, multiply by 18. To convert mg/dl of glucose to mmol/l, divide by 18 or multiply by 0.055. Many machines can toggle between both types of measurements and there have been a couple of published instances in which someone with diabetes has been misled into the wrong action by assuming that a reading in mmol/l was really a very low reading in mg/dl, or the converse. Recent production U.S.-marketed machines are pre-set at the factory for mg/dl and cannot be changed. :*'''Glucose vs. Plasma glucose''': Glucose levels in plasma (one of the components of blood) are generally 10%&ndash;15% higher than glucose measurements in whole blood (and even more after eating). This is important because home blood glucose meters measure the glucose in whole blood while most lab tests measure the glucose in plasma. Currently, there are many meters on the market that give results as "plasma equivalent," even though they are measuring whole blood glucose. The plasma equivalent is calculated from the whole blood glucose reading using an equation built into the glucose meter. This allows patients to easily compare their glucose measurements in a lab test and at home. It is important for you and your healthcare provider to know whether your meter gives its results as "whole blood equivalent" or "plasma equivalent." * '''Clock/memory''': All meters now include a ''clock'' that is set for date and time, and a ''memory'' for past test results. The memory is an important aspect of diabetes care, as it enables the person with diabetes to keep a record of management and look for trends and patterns in blood glucose levels over days. Most memory chips can display an average of recent glucose readings. :* '''Data transfer''': Many meters now have more sophisticated data handling capabilities. Many can be downloaded by a cable or infrared to a computer that has [[diabetes management software]] to display the test results. Some meters allow entry of additional data throughout the day, such as [[insulin]] dose, amounts of [[carbohydrate]]s eaten, or exercise. A number of meters have been combined with other devices, such as insulin injection devices, [[personal digital assistant|PDAs]], and even [[Game Boy]]s.<sup>[http://www.diabetesincontrol.com/issue173/np.shtml]</sup> A radio link to an [[insulin pump]] allows automatic transfer of glucose readings to a calculator that assists the wearer in deciding on an appropriate insulin dose. One model also measures [[beta-hydroxybutyrate]] in the blood to detect ketoacidosis ([[ketosis]]). * '''Hospital glucose meters''': Special glucose meters for multi-patient hospital use are now used. These provide more elaborate quality control records, and the data handling capabilities are designed to transfer glucoses into [[electronic medical record]]s and the [[medical laboratory|laboratory]] computer systems for billing purposes. ==Cost== The cost of home blood glucose monitoring is substantial due to the cost of the test strips. In 2006, the consumer cost of each glucose strip ranged from about $0.35 to $1.00. Manufacturers often provide meters at no cost to induce use of the profitable test strips. Type 1 diabetics may test as often as 10 to 12 times a day due to the dynamics of insulin adjustment, whereas type 2 typically test less frequently, especially when insulin is not part of treatment. Some batches of [[counterfeit]] test strips for some meters have been identified, and these have been shown to produce inaccurate results<sup>[http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/17/business/worldbusiness/17fraud.html]</sup>. They should not be used and should be reported to the supposed manufacturer. ==Accuracy== Accuracy of glucose meters is a common topic of clinical concern. Nearly all of the meters have similar accuracy (±10-15%) when used optimally. However, a variety of factors can affect the accuracy of a test. Factors affecting accuracy of various meters have included calibration of meter, ambient temperature, pressure use to wipe off strip (if applicable), size and quality of blood sample, high levels of certain drugs (such as ascorbic acid = vitamin C) in blood, hematocrit, dirt on meter, humidity, and aging of test strips. Models vary in their susceptibility to these factors, and in their ability to prevent or warn of inaccurate results with error messages. The [[Clarke error grid]] has been a common way of analyzing and displaying accuracy of readings related to management consequences. More recently an improved version of the Clarke error grid has come into use - this is known as the [[Consensus Error Grid]]. ==History== The earliest glucose meter was the Ames Reflectance Meter by Anton H. Clemens. It was used in American hospitals in the 70's. It was about 10 inches long. It needed connection to an electrical outlet for the power. A moving needle indicated the blood glucose after about a minute. Home glucose monitoring was demonstrated to improve [[Diabetes management#Glycemic control|glycemic control]] of type 1 diabetes in the late 1970s, and the first meters were marketed for home use around 1980. The two models initially dominant in North America in the 1980s were the '''Glucometer''' whose [[trademark]] is owned by [[Bayer]][http://www.glucometer.com/product.htm] and the '''Accu-Chek''' meter (by [[Hoffmann–La Roche|Roche]]). Consequently, these [[brand]] names have become [[Genericized trademark|synonymous with the generic product]] to many health care professionals. Test strips that changed color and could be read "visually", without a meter, were also widely used in the 1980s. They had the added advantage that they could be cut with scissors longitudinally to save money. As meter accuracy and insurance coverage improved, they lost popularity and are no longer marketed. At least in North America, [[hospital]]s resisted adoption of meter glucose measurements for inpatient diabetes care for over a decade. Managers of [[medical laboratory|laboratories]] argued that the superior accuracy of a laboratory glucose measurement outweighed the advantage of immediate availability and made meter glucose measurements unacceptable for inpatient diabetes management. Patients with diabetes and their [[endocrinologist]]s eventually persuaded acceptance. Home glucose testing was adopted for [[type 2 diabetes]] more slowly than for type 1, and a large proportion of people with type 2 diabetes have never been instructed in home glucose testing. ==Future== Development of noninvasive devices may enable continuous monitoring. Research is being done on noninvasive methods for measuring blood glucose, such as using electric currents and ultrasound. There is one noninvasive glucose meter that has been approved by the FDA: The [http://www.glucowatch.com/us/default.html GlucoWatch G2 Biographer] is designed to be worn on the wrist, and it uses electric fields to draw out body fluid for testing. The device does '''not''' replace conventional blood glucose monitoring. One limitation is that the GlucoWatch system is not able to cope with perspiration at the measurement site. The sweat must be allowed to dry before measurement can resume. Due to these limitations and others, the product is no longer on the market. The market introduction of noninvasive blood glucose measurement by spectroscopic measurement methods, in the field of near-infrared (NIR), by extracorporal measuring devices, failed so far because at the present time, the devices measure tissue sugar, in body tissues, and not the blood sugar in blood fluid. To determine blood glucose, the measuring beam of infrared light, for example, has to penetrate the tissue for measurement of blood glucose.[http://www.diabetiker-mailbox.com/bz/a3_5222b.html] It is speculated that within the next decade, meters may be replaced with [[blood glucose monitoring#continuous blood glucose monitoring|continuous glucose sensors]] for many people with diabetes. This will likely decrease complications found in people with diabetes by limiting problems associated with hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia. There are currently 2 CGMS (continuous glucose monitoring system) available. The first is [http://www.minimed.com/professionals/realtime/index.html Medtronic's Minimed Paradigm RTS] with a sub-cutaneous probe attached to a small transmitter (roughly the size of a quarter) that sends interstitial glucose levels to a small pager sized receiver every 5 minutes. As well, the [http://www.dexcom.com DexCom STS System] is available (2Q 2006). It is a [[hypodermic]] probe with a small transmitter. The receiver is about the size of a cell phone and can operate up to five feet from the transmitter. Aside from a two hour calibration period, monitoring is logged at five-minute intervals for up to 72 hours. High and low glucose alarms are user-settable. There is currently an effort to develop an integrated treatment system with a glucose meter, [[insulin pump]] and [[wristop]] controller, as well as an effort to integrate the glucose meter and a cell phone. These glucose meter/cellular phone combinations are under testing and currently cost $149.00 USD retail. Testing strips are proprietary and available only through the manufacturer (no insurance availability.) These "Glugophones" are currently offered in three forms: as a dongle for the [[iPhone]], an add-on pack for [[LG]] model UX5000, VX5200, and LX350 cell phones, as well as an add-on pack for the [[Motorola]] Razr cell phone. This limits providers to [[AT&T]] for the iPhone and [[Verizon]] for the others. Similar systems have been tested for a longer time in Finland. ==Technology== Many glucose meters employ the oxidation of glucose to [[gluconolactone]] catalyzed by [[glucose oxidase]] (sometimes known as GOD). Others use a similar reaction catalysed instead by another [[enzyme]], [[Glucose dehydrogenase (acceptor)|glucose dehydrogenase]] (GHD). This has the advantage of sensitivity over glucose oxidase, but is more susceptible to interfering reactions with other substances. The first-generation devices relied on the same [[colorimetry|colorimetric]] reaction that is still used nowadays in glucose test strips for urine. Besides glucose oxidase, the test kit contains a [[benzidine]] derivative, which is oxidized to a blue polymer by the [[hydrogen peroxide]] formed in the oxidation reaction. The disadvantage of this method was that the test strip had to be developed after a precise interval (the blood had to be washed away), and the meter needed to be calibrated frequently. Most glucometers today use an electrochemical method. Test strips contain a capillary that sucks up a reproducible amount of blood and an enzyme electrode containing glucose oxidase. The enzyme is reoxidized with an excess of [[ferrocyanide]] ion. The total charge passing through the electrode is measured and is proportional to the concentration of glucose in the blood. The [[coulometry|coulometric]] method is a technique used to define a reaction where the amount of charge measured over a fixed time is measured. The amperometric method is used by some meters that allows the reaction to go to completion and where the total charge transfer is measured. The coulometric method allows for a fixed test time, whereas test times with a meter using the amperometric technique can vary. ==Meter use for hypoglycemia== Although the apparent value of immediate measurement of blood glucose might seem to be higher for [[hypoglycemia]] than [[hyperglycemia]], meters have been less useful. The primary problems are ''precision'' and ''ratio of false positive and negative results''. An imprecision of ±15% is less of a problem for high glucose levels than low. There is little difference in the management of a glucose of 200 mg/dl compared with 260 (i.e., a "true" glucose of 230±15%), but a ±15% error margin at a low glucose concentration brings greater ambiguity with regards to glucose management. The imprecision is compounded by the relative likelihoods of false positives and negatives in populations with diabetes and those without. People with type 1 diabetes usually have glucose levels above normal, often ranging from 40 to 500 mg/dl (2.2 to 28 mmol/l), and when a meter reading of 50 or 70 (2.8 or 3.9 mmol/l) is accompanied by their usual hypoglycemic symptoms, there is little uncertainty about the reading representing a "true positive" and little harm done if it is a "false positive." In contrast, people who do not have diabetes but periodically have hypoglycemic symptoms will have a much higher rate of false positives to true, and a meter is not accurate enough to base a diagnosis of hypoglycemia upon. A meter can occasionally be useful in the monitoring of severe types of hypoglycemia (e.g., [[congenital hyperinsulinism]]), to ensure that the average glucoses when fasting remain above 70 mg/dl (3.9 mmol/l). ==External links used as references== * [http://www.prodigymeter.com/home.cfm?htmlFlag=1 Diagnostic Devices, Inc. Markets The Only No Coding, Talking Glucose Meter To Assist The Visualy Impaired (Prodigy Voice, Autocode, Duo, Eject)] * [http://www.accu-chek.com/index.html Roche Diagnostics (Accu-Chek)] * [http://www.abbottdiabetescare.com/ Abbott Diabetes Care (FreeStyle, Flash, Optium)] *[http://www.ascensia.com/ Bayer Diagnostics (Ascensia)] *[http://www.lifescan.com/ LifeScan (OneTouch)] *[http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/ National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse] == References == <references/> {{portalpar|Electronics|Nuvola_apps_ksim.png}} [[Category:Diabetes]] [[Category:Medical tests]] [[Category:Medical testing equipment]] [[cs:Glukometr]] [[de:Blutzucker-Messgerät]] [[fr:Glucomètre]] [[nl:Glucosemeter]] [[pl:Glukometr]] [[pt:Glicosímetro]] [[ru:Глюкометр]] [[sv:Blodsockermätare]] [[uk:Глюкометр]]