Point-of-care testing for diabetes

Point-of-care testing, or near patient testing, refers to testing of biochemical parameters with devices that provide rapid results so the data can be immediately used in clinical care. Because the diagnosis and, in particular, management, of diabetes mellitus is largely relegated to the outpatient setting (including self-care in the home, school and workplace), point-of-care testing is particularly relevant for this disease. Moreover, the need for timely (immediate) results for glucose monitoring makes point-of-care testing necessary for the management of diabetes in the inpatient and outpatient setting. The following review examines the role of various assays in the diagnosis and management of diabetes and discusses the role of point-of-care testing.