title: Evaluation of a self-administered oral glucose tolerance test.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the feasibility of using a disposable, self-administered, capillary blood sampling oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) device in a community setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen healthy and 12 type 2 diabetic volunteers underwent six 75-g OGTTs using a prototype device in the following three settings: unaided at home (twice); unaided but observed in clinic (twice); and performed by a nurse with simultaneous laboratory glucose assays of 0- and 120-min venous plasma samples (twice). The device displayed no results. A detachable data recorder returned to the clinic provided plasma-equivalent 0- and 120-min glucose values and key parameters, including test date, start and end times, and time taken to consume the glucose drink.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The device was universally popular with participants and was perceived as easy to use, and the ability to test at home was well liked. Device failures meant that 0- and 120-min glucose values were obtained for only 141 (78%) of the 180 OGTTs performed, independent of setting. Device glucose measurements showed a mean bias compared with laboratory-measured values of +0.9 at 5.0 mmol/L increasing to +4.4 at 15.0 mmol/L. Paired device glucose values were equally reproducible across settings, with repeat testing showing no training effect regardless of setting order.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Self-administered OGTTs can be performed successfully by untrained individuals in a community setting. With improved device reliability and appropriate calibration, this novel technology could be used in routine practice to screen people who might need a formal OGTT to confirm the presence of impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes.
authors: Diabetes Trials Unit Translational Research Group, Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom. angelyn.bethel@dtu.ox.ac.uk
authors: M Angelyn
authors: MA
authors: Bethel
authors: Hermione C
authors: HC
authors: Price
authors: Harald
authors: H
authors: Sourij
authors: Sarah
authors: S
authors: White
authors: Ruth L
authors: RL
authors: Coleman
authors: Arne
authors: A
authors: Ring
authors: Irene E C
authors: IE
authors: Kennedy
authors: Lynne
authors: L
authors: Tucker
authors: Rury R
authors: RR
authors: Holman
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012646:Self Administration