Factors interfering with measurements using glucose meters. A glucose meter error

Abstract

Because of the construction features of blood glucose meters, glucose assays by dry chemistry methods and distinctiveness of the sample material, which is whole capillary blood, glucose measurement thus are exposed to a number of interfering factors. They can be divided into endogenous (hematocrit, blood pH, pO2, and the presence of substances, such as urea, creatinine, uric acid, etc.) and exogenous (other carbohydrates, such as maltose, xylose, and drugs and their metabolites). Because of the distorting effect of extreme hematocrit values and blood pH, it is suggested that in such clinical situations glucose meters should not be used to measure blood glucose. Interference of endogenous and exogenous substances are dependent on the method of glucose assay and measurement technique used. Nonspecific interference is a major cause of measurement errors when using blood glucose meters and should be taken into account whenever an error exceeding the allowable limit is observed. Currently, the upper limit of allowable meter error is according to various recommendations in the range of of 5–20% and is still under discussion. (Diabet. Prakt. 2010; 11, 3: 75–79)