The effect of antiseptic solutions on the accuracy in blood glucose measurement using a personal glucose meter

Introduction . Patients with diabetes mellitus perform blood glucose measurements daily using their personal glucose meters. The procedure of disinfecting the place of blood sampling with antiseptic solutions or washing hands with soap and drying them thoroughly is recommended to the patients to prevent infections. However, the effects of used antiseptics on the accuracy in blood glucose measurement using glucose meters have not been evaluated. Aim. To evaluate the effects of antiseptic solutions on the accuracy in blood glucose measurement using a personal glucose meter. Materials and methods. We mixed several drops of the control solution (CS) with low “L” or high “H” concentrations, which were developed for the Contour Plus glucose meter, and a drop of one of five antiseptic solutions: chlorhexidine bigluconate (Chlorhexidine), benzyl dimethyl[3-(myristoylamine)-propyl] ammonium chloride monohydrate (Miramistin), salts of fatty acids (liquid soap), ethyl alcohol, hydrogen peroxide. Thereafter, the blood glucose levels were measured with a glucose meter. The results obtained were compared with the reference range for the CS with appropriate concentration. Results. Chlorhexidine solution had no effect on the blood glucose measurements in the CS. Adding Miramistin solution (1/5 of the sample with CS “L” and “H”) and liquid soap (4/5 of the sample with CS “L” and 2/5 of the sample with CS “H”) resulted in underestimating blood glucose measurements. Alcohol solution had no effect on the blood glucose measurements in the CS “L”, but the glucometer failed to measure the blood glucose concentration in half of the cases, requiring the test strip to be replaced (“E11” error); when mixed with CS “H”, the measurements were overestimated in 2/5 of samples. Adding hydrogen peroxide solution (4/5 of the sample with CR “L” and “H”) resulted in overestimating the blood glucose measurements. Discussion. Getting fruit juice on the hands, applying hydroquinone-containing cosmetics to the skin affects the accuracy in glucose measurements. Correct use of alcohol-containing disinfectants does not affect results of the blood glucose measurement using a personal glucose meter. Conclusion . The results of the blood glucose measurement using a glucose meter can be significantly distorted if antiseptic gets into the sample. Traces of antiseptic should be removed before obtaining the sample that will be used to measure the blood glucose level with a glucose meter. Hydrogen peroxide should not be used as antiseptic solution when using a glucose meter.