A test strip method for visual and reflectometric reading of blood glucose

A double field glucose oxidase test strip, B-M Haemoglucotest 1-44 R, was tested for stability of reaction and comparability of visual and reflectometric readings (evaluating four reflectometers) with a standard laboratory glucose oxidase analysis and showed excellent precision and accuracy within the whole range when estimated immediately. Readings after 1 and 7 days showed a systematic and increasing error with time, with spuriously high and low values in the lower (less than or equal to 4.0 mmol/l) and higher (greater than or equal to 8.1 mmol/l) part of the range, respectively. In the lower range, however, the error was in the order of 1 mmol/l only, thus stability of the reaction allows mailing the strips to the clinic for rechecking.