Abstract
Aims
HbA1c monitoring in the Scottish Highlands is by HPLC analysis of GP collected venous samples at a centralised laboratory. Availability of HbA1c results at clinic appointments is less than ideal due to patient reticence and availability/timeliness of appointments. This study assessed the clinical performance and patient acceptance of HemaSpot™ blood collection devices as an alternative blood collection method.
Methods
Adult men and women with any type of diabetes, routinely carrying out self-monitoring of blood glucose were recruited (n=128). Participants provided a venous blood sample and prepared two HemaSpot™ dried blood spots (DBS), one at clinics and one at home. HbA1c analysis was by TOSOH G8 HPLC. Participants also completed a questionnaire.
Results
A strong linear relationships between HbA1c levels in dried blood spots and venous blood were observed and a linear model was fitted to the data. Time between dried blood spot preparation and testing did not impact the model.
Participants were accepting of the approach, 69.2% would use this system if available and 60.7% would be more likely to use this system than going to their GP.
Conclusions
The combination of a robust desiccating dried blood spot device, home sample preparation and return by post produces HbA1c data which supports use of a time-independent linear calibration of dried blood spot to venous blood HbA1c. A robust remote sample collection service would be valuable to people living with diabetes in urban areas who are working or house-bound as well as those living in remote or rural locations.
HbA1c monitoring in the Scottish Highlands is by HPLC analysis of GP collected venous samples at a centralised laboratory. Availability of HbA1c results at clinic appointments is less than ideal due to patient reticence and availability/timeliness of appointments. This study assessed the clinical performance and patient acceptance of HemaSpot™ blood collection devices as an alternative blood collection method.
Methods
Adult men and women with any type of diabetes, routinely carrying out self-monitoring of blood glucose were recruited (n=128). Participants provided a venous blood sample and prepared two HemaSpot™ dried blood spots (DBS), one at clinics and one at home. HbA1c analysis was by TOSOH G8 HPLC. Participants also completed a questionnaire.
Results
A strong linear relationships between HbA1c levels in dried blood spots and venous blood were observed and a linear model was fitted to the data. Time between dried blood spot preparation and testing did not impact the model.
Participants were accepting of the approach, 69.2% would use this system if available and 60.7% would be more likely to use this system than going to their GP.
Conclusions
The combination of a robust desiccating dried blood spot device, home sample preparation and return by post produces HbA1c data which supports use of a time-independent linear calibration of dried blood spot to venous blood HbA1c. A robust remote sample collection service would be valuable to people living with diabetes in urban areas who are working or house-bound as well as those living in remote or rural locations.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | e79-e82 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine |
| Volume | 59 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 29 Sept 2020 |
Keywords
- dried blood spots
- laboratory method comparison
- Remote and Rural
- diabetis
- HbA1c
