Comparison of Results of Glucometer and Laboratory Technique for Glucose Measurement Among Children

Objective: To compare results of glucometer and laboratory technique for glucose measurement among children. Study design: Cross sectional study Duration and place of study: 6 months from July 2021 to January 2022, department of child health KTH Peshawar. Methodology: 112 children presenting in outpatient department (OPD) for screening were enrolled in the study after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. Blood samples were drawn for measurement of blood glucose both by glucometer and laboratory. The values measured were analysed and diagnostic accuracy was calculated along with correlation between these two techniques. Results: Out of 112 patients, 47 (42%) were females and 65 (58%) were males. The frequency of diabetes at screening clinic of our settings came out to be 15.2% (17 patients). The accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of glucometer was 84%, 94% and 82% respectively. The mean fasting blood sugar measured with glucometer was 115.37 ± 21.10 and that of laboratory measured was 97.85 ± 25.55. The mean difference of blood glucose measured with both the methods was 17.5 ± 17.05 and t-test analysis showed a significant p value <0.005. A strong correlation (r = 0.7490; p<0.001) was found with glucose measurement with both these techniques. Conclusion: Results of glucometer for measurement of glucose are highly sensitive and specific. Glucometers can be considered as a screening tool for large scale surveys.