Evaluation of five devices for self-monitoring of blood glucose in the normoglycaemic range

Although hypoglycaemia is a serious risk of intensive insulin therapy, studies on the accuracy of devices for self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) include only a few values below 100 mg/dl. This study evaluated five SMBG devices in the normal range of blood glucose. In three separate series, capillary blood was taken from 207, 214 and 49 healthy subjects and was analysed with the SMBG devices and a laboratory method. Mean (+/- standard deviation) blood glucose values were 86+/-13 mg/dl, 83+/-12 mg/dl and 90+/-16 in series 1-3. All measurements with SMBG devices differed significantly from the laboratory method. The relative deviation from the laboratory method was 5.5% (2.4-10.5%, median and interquartile range) for Accutrend, 7.1% (3.6-12.6%) for Precision QID, 7.5% (3.7-13.7%) for Accu-Chek III, 14.1% (6.2-22.2%) for Companion 2 and 15.2% (10.3-21.3%) for One Touch II (p < 0.05). In conclusion, this study shows important differences in the accuracy of five SMBG devices in the normoglycaemic range. Accutrend and--to a lesser degree--Accu-Chek III and Precision QID obtained better results and can be recommended for SMBG in patients treated with intensive insulin therapy.