A comparison of accuracy and estimated cost of methods for home blood glucose monitoring.

Venous serum glucose concentrations determined by a laboratory hexokinase technique were compared over a wide range of glucose concentrations with concentrations of capillary blood glucose determined by three reflectance meter techniques currently available in the United States (Eyetone and Dextrometer, Ames Company; StatTek, Bio-Dynamics BMC) and by visual interpretation of reagent strips (Chemstrip bG, Bio-Dynamics BMC). The Chemstrip bG reagent strip was read by patients, nurses, and a physician. In all cases, there was an excellent correlation between laboratory serum glucose concentrations and reflectance meter blood glucose determinations (r = 0.90-0.94, P less than 0.0001) or visual interpretation of Chemstrip bG (r = 0.85-0.92, P less than 0.0001). Chemstrip bG appears to be the least expensive method of glucose measurement. This method offers additional advantages in not requiring a reflectance meter, which needs frequent recalibration and other ancillary equipment for blood glucose determination.