Comparative Performance of Different Glucometers for Random Glucose Measurements in Diabetic Patients at Emergency Medicine Department of the Muhimbili National Hospital, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Abstract

Background: Proper management of diabetic patients is dependent on accurate patients’ self-monitoring of blood glucose levels at home and during healthcare visits. Several glucometers are currently available in the market with variability in technical and clinical accuracy. The study aimed at assessing the performance of various glucometers and their reliability as tools worth depending on for patient blood sugar management.
Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 125 diabetic patients aged 39-59 years old comprised of 56 (47%) males and 69 (55.2%) females recruited from November 2022 to January 2023 at Muhimbili National Hospital Emergency Medicine Department. Patients’ demographic and other relevant information were recorded using a questionnaire along with glucometer readings and the laboratory values of glucose. Bland Altman graphs, ISO 15197:2013, Consensus Grid Reference, were used to assess the technical and clinical accuracies.
Results: A total of 78 (62.4%) of participants did not have glucometers at home. The results showed five glucometers, namely; Accu Chek, GlucoPlus, GlucoNavii, OneTouch Ultra Plus Flex and CareSens, to have relatively stable mean glucose levels between glucometers and known laboratory glucose readings. There was a likelihood for CareSens not meeting the ISO 15179:2013 criteria while both Accu Chek and CareSens glucometers had higher coefficient of variation (CV) values of 77% and 56.5%, respectively.
Conclusions: This study highlights the variability in readings among glucometers with GlucoPlus, GlucoNavii and OneTouch Plus, showing a degree of reliability for patients’ self-monitoring of random blood glucose levels. Thus, regular evaluation of glucometers remains key for their accuracy and patient management.