Diabetes type 2 finger blood sugar test can be unreliable

How accurate are blood sugar tests on the finger?
Many people around the world are suffering from type 2 diabetes. In 2015, there were already more than 400 million people worldwide diabetics - and rising. In the US, type 2 diabetes accounts for approximately 90 to 95 percent of all diagnosed cases of adult diabetes. A finger stick blood test is a quick and convenient way to measure blood sugar levels for people with the condition. Researchers now found that this kind of test is not really reliable.

Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found in their current research that measurements of blood sugar levels on the finger with a stick are not very reliable in diabetic patients. The physicians published the results of their study in the journal "JAMA Internal Medicine".

Finger glycemic measurements are widespread in type 2 diabetes. Physicians noted that this method of measuring blood sugar levels, however, is unreliable for some sufferers. (Image: tunedin / fotolia.com)

Type 2 diabetes patients without insulin intake should not use the test
The management of diabetes requires the measurement of glucose at different times of the day. This led to the development of a measuring device that can detect the blood sugar level by a blood sample from the finger, say the authors. Previously, it was assumed that such tests are extremely accurate and reliable. However, the results of the current study show that blood glucose tests on the finger are not as reliable as previously thought. The measurement on the finger is not useful for patients with type 2 diabetes who do not take insulin, say the doctors. For these people, the results of the tests are not reliable.

What causes type 2 diabetes??
In people with type 2 diabetes, blood sugar levels are elevated. The body cells of those affected generally respond worse to insulin. Normally this hormone is supposed to cause the sugar molecules to be transferred from the blood into the cells.

Simple measures can help manage the condition
The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that by 2030, Type 2 diabetes will be the seventh leading cause of death in the world. However, simple measures can help to successfully manage the disease. These include, for example, a healthy diet, regular food and regular exercise, explain the scientists. The current study suggests that self-monitoring of blood glucose levels has very limited benefits for non-insulin-treated type 2 diabetics.

Physicians examined 450 participants for their study
The current study involved 450 subjects. The researchers advise patients with diabetes to discuss the need for blood glucose monitoring with their health care providers. If these health professionals believe that a patient does not need insulin and he does not need to monitor his blood sugar level that often, he does not need a finger test to measure blood sugar at home. Sufferers can save money on the purchase of a glucose meter and daily test strips, the authors add.

Should patients perform blood glucose tests?
Some health professionals suggest that daily blood glucose tests can help patients become more aware of their condition and help them better align their diet and lifestyle with their condition. Other experts believe that if it is not really needed, the daily routine of the trial is an additional financial burden and makes those concerned more anxious about the disease. (As)