Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

200 patients attending a diabetic outpatient clinic were each asked to post to the hospital, prior to their three-monthly routine clinic visit, a finger-prick capillary blood sample for glycosylated haemoglobin assay (HbA1). Patients took their own blood into UNISTEP bottles, which automatically measure a 53 microliters aliquot and mix it with 150 microliters of diluent suitable for transport to the laboratory. During 1 year 883 (84%) of 1046 bottles sent out were returned of which 776 (87%) were suitable for analysis. The availability of the result at the time of the patients' clinic visit aided assessment of diabetic control and was associated with a mean reduction of the HbA1 by 0.8% (p less than 0.001) over a twelve-month period. This simple system facilitates remote monitoring of HbA1 levels, is suitable for both hospital and general practice use and may allow a reduction in the number of patient visits.

Original publication

DOI

10.1111/j.1464-5491.1987.tb00834.x

Type

Journal article

Journal

Diabet Med

Publication Date

1987

Volume

4

Pages

71 - 73

Keywords

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1, Glycated Hemoglobin, Humans, Middle Aged, Monitoring, Physiologic, Self Care