[Self-control of blood sugar (author's transl)]

Nine well-trained insulin-dependent diabetics checked their blood sugar using a test strip (Haemo-Glukotest 20-800) and three reflectometers (Reflomat, Dextrometer, Glucosemeter) in order to compare the accuracy of the three instruments with that of the test strip. 227 single checks were carried out, and the blood sugar was checked by means of the hexokinase method. The correlation of the four methods with the hexokinase method was comparable: Reflomat r = 0.95, Dextrometer r = 0.94, Haemo-Glukotest 20-800 r = 0.93, Glucosemeter r = 0.91. Classification of the results into various measuring ranges yielded a comparable accuracy of all four methods between 40 and 250 mg/dl; above 250 mg/dl, there was a considerable decrease in accuracy even of the reflectometers. Hence, the reflectometers do not offer any significant advantages over the visual Haemo-Glukotest 20-800 readings as far as self-control of blood sugar by the diabetic is concerned.