An accurate and portable system for glycated haemoglobin measurement in the tropics.
Measurement of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) is vital to provide meaningful diabetic care, but the assay is difficult and expensive, making its availability limited in resource-poor countries. We have field-tested a novel near-patient HbA1c meter (Glycosal; Provalis Diagnostics Ltd, UK) in northern Ethiopia. The machine was easy to use and gave results which correlated well (r = -0.96) with standard laboratory methods. The meter also performed well and retained accuracy at high ambient temperature (34.0 degrees C). Though still relatively expensive (pound 4 per test), this meter does give the opportunity for practical and appropriate HbA1c testing in tropical climes, and should be considered for at least intermittent use in diabetic patients.
Gebrekidan
Atakilt
A
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK.
Gill
Geoffrey
G
Wile
David
D
Tesfaye
Solomon
S
D015190:Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005002:Ethiopia; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin