Summary
Capillary and venous blood glucose readings in emergency care: correlation and methodological considerations
Affiliation of the authors
DOI
Quote
Polo Martín M, Palomo De Los Reyes MJ, Baeza Nadal MV, Parras García De León N, Aguilar Florit JL, Julián Jiménez A. Capillary and venous blood glucose readings in emergency care: correlation and methodological considerations. Emergencias. 2008;20:332-4
Summary
Objectives: To ascertain the reliability of capillary blood glucose readings and their
correlation with venous blood glucose levels according to the conditions under which
capillary blood is tested.
Method: Capillary blood glucose was measured in 100 healthy volunteers (Optium Xceed
blood glucose meter) under 5 conditions: A, before the subject had contact with grapes;
B, after touching whole grapes for 10 seconds; C, after brief contact with grape juice and
after drying the skin; D, after superficial cleaning; and E, after thorough cleaning.
Results: The mean (SD) age of the participants was 35.4 (10.2) years and 72% were
women. The mean capillary blood glucose levels were 90 mg/dL in condition A, 115
mg/dL in condition B, 401 mg/dL in C, 198 mg/dL in D, and 124 mg/dL in E (P <.001, all comparisons). The specificity of the test for detecting abnormal glucose levels (> 140 mg/dL) ranged from 99% under condition A to 7% under condition C. Under
condition E, 83% of the volunteers would have been considered diabetics according to
the capillary blood glucose reading.
Conclusions: The correlation between capillary and venous blood glucose levels is good
if the capillary blood reading is taken under the proper conditions. The results of the test
may change according to various factors if the technique is not applied correctly.
Emergency staff should take care to carry out the test properly.