Test shows blood glucose meters to be largely satisfactory andreliable - CHOICE # 370

Blood glucose meters are as important a monitoring aid to diabetic patients as blood pressure meters are to those with hypertension.

Their accuracy and consistency are the top-priority concern of patients whose health depends on it to regularly monitor the levels of glucose in their blood.

Of equal concern is the ease-of-use of these DIY devices operated usually by patients at home.

The Consumer Council has tested 12 models of blood glucose meter with the help of medical experts from the Department of Chemical Pathology of the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the Diabetes Mellitus Education and Endocrine Centre of the Prince of Wales Hospital.

In the test were compared the readings obtained by the blood glucose meters using capillary whole blood specimen from finger prick to the readings obtained by the laboratory instrument in the hospital using plasma from venous blood specimen.

The results are, on the whole, reassuring. Only two blood glucose meter samples were found with more than one-tenth of the readings to deviate from those obtained by the laboratory instrument, by over 20%. The remainders were all found to be satisfactory. 

On assessment of consistency of readings, the performance of most blood glucose meter samples were in general satisfactory, especially in the low glucose level.

Users can set their heart at ease to use these meters for monitoring their blood glucose levels.

The test also rated the ease-of-use of the samples to be satisfactory in most aspects.

Consumers are reminded to read and follow carefully the user manual instructions before start using the meters.

Extreme levels of blood glucose, either too high or too low, may undermine the health or may even be life-threatening. Patients should seek advice from medical professionals, and monitor their blood glucose level regularly.

As part of the test, Council staff has tried to purchase some control solutions through retail outlets and drugstores. This is in view of the advice of most user manuals to first check the meter with control solution every time when using a new batch of test strips.

However, no retail shops would sell the solutions - other than to place an order through the shops or to ask users to contact the local agents or distributors direct.

Some agents have commented in response that this is because some consumers may not have the necessary knowledge to use the solution properly. They further claimed that they will provide free checking service, and perform a control test for the users of their blood glucose meters.

The same advice came also from nurses to contact the suppliers for maintenance and perform a quality control check of the meters at least once a year.

Users should store the blood glucose meter and test strip properly to avoid adverse effect caused by humid weather and also note the importance of following proper testing procedure.