Aim: The aim of this study was the comparison of capillary blood glucose values performed at different skin sites with various glucose meters.
Patients and methods: 50 type 2 - diabetic patients were enrolled into the study. At the first part of study - in stable glucose phase, measurements were performed with four various glucose meters at four skin sites: finger, forearm, abdomen, big toe. At the second part of the study all the subjects underwent one hyperglycemic challenge (after intravenous 40% glucose load) and hypoglycemic challenge (after intravenous 6 I.U.dose of short-acting human insulin). All of those capillary glucose values were compared between the venous blood and the interstitial glucose values.
Results: No significant differences in performed glucose values were observed between the four types of glucose meters (p>0.05). Only the glucose values at finger were similar to the venous and the interstitial glucose levels in stable glycaemic and rapid glucose change phase as well (p>0.05).
Conclusion: 1. Glucose meters are precise and reliable tool for capillary glucose measurement. 2. Capillary glucose measurements can differ depend on various skin sites. 3. Capillary glucose measurements at finger are reliable and comparable with the suitable venous and the interstitial glucose levels.