LABORATORY ASSESSMENT OF GLUCOSE METERS DOES NOT PREDICT RELIABILITY OF CLINICAL-PERFORMANCE

The authors evaluated five glucose meters for accuracy, precision, clinical reliability, and patient perceived ease of use. Three meters produced values within the acceptable range for accuracy and precision. The clinical reliability of the meters was determined by patient trials. Twenty-Jive subjects performed self-monitoring of blood glucose. Only two meters-the One Touch II and AccuChek III -demonstrated clinical reliability in the acceptable range (within 15% of laboratory values). The Companion-2, the meter rated easiest to use, demonstrated acceptable clinical reliability less than 50% of the time. Laboratory assessments of glucose meters should be supplemented by practical patient trials.