[Blood glucose self-monitoring: visual or automated read-out? Comparative study of 6 methods of blood glucose determination by reactive strips].

Home blood glucose monitoring is becoming increasingly popular in diabetic patients. The purpose of this work was to determine the accuracy of this technique. We have compared plasma glucose obtained in the laboratory and two reagent strips (Dextrostix and Haemoglukotest 20-800). No differences were found among visually-read values and meter-read values using either Dextrometer, Glukometer, Hypocount or Glucochek. Thus, visually-read strips seem to be sufficient for clinical purposes with best results for HGT. The performances of different meters are similar. Nevertheless must patients favoured the use of a meter because of the apparent "objectivity" of the values. Furthermore, meters provide to patients a better involvement in the management of their disease.