HbA_1c determination from HemaSpot™ blood collection devices: comparison of home prepared dried blood spots with standard venous blood analysis

Abstract

Aim To assess the clinical performance and patient acceptance of HemaSpot TM blood collection devices as an alternative blood collection method. Methods Adult men and women with any type of diabetes, routinely carrying out self-monitoring of blood glucose were recruited (n = 128). Participants provided a venous blood sample and prepared two HemaSpot dried blood spots, one at clinics and one at home. HbA 1c analysis was by Tosoh G8 high-performance liquid chromatography. Participants also completed a questionnaire. Results Strong linear relationships been HbA 1c levels in dried blood spots and venous blood were observed and a linear model was fitted to the data. Time between dried blood spot preparation and testing did not impact the model. Participants were accepting of the approach: 69.2% would use this system if available and 60.7% would be more likely to use this system than going to their general practitioner. Conclusions The combination of a robust desiccating dried blood spot device, home sample preparation and return by post produces HbA 1c data that support the use of a time-independent linear calibration of dried blood spot to venous blood HbA 1c. A robust remote sample collection service would be valuable to people living with diabetes in urban areas who are working or house-bound as well as those living in remote or rural locations.

Caring for Pediatric Patients with Diabetes amidst the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Storm

“…Glycated hemoglobin readings from finger-prick samples have been shown to agree favorably with gold standard assays using venipuncture samples. 7 Collected samples can be submitted via postal mail and assay has been shown to remain accurate up to 4 days after collection, a feature that can be used during a pandemic such as this. 7 In addition, state-of-the-art technology for screening complications, such as the hand-held nonmydriatic portable fundus camera linked to a smartphone, has been shown to be reliable for diabetic retinopathy screening.…”

“…7 Collected samples can be submitted via postal mail and assay has been shown to remain accurate up to 4 days after collection, a feature that can be used during a pandemic such as this. 7 In addition, state-of-the-art technology for screening complications, such as the hand-held nonmydriatic portable fundus camera linked to a smartphone, has been shown to be reliable for diabetic retinopathy screening. 8 The use of such technology potentially could decrease in-person visits for ophthalmologic care and can be implemented easily and with reasonable reliability, at least for use during this pandemic.…”

Reply to Verougstraete et al. Comment on HbA1c determination from HemaSpot blood collection devices: comparison of home‐prepared dried blood spots with standard venous blood analysis

“…We believe that the combination of these physical properties, patient acceptance as reported [2], and the HbA 1c results obtained using the model described makes use of the HemaSpot device for remote sample collection acceptable from both the patient and clinician perspective.…”

Comment on HbA1c determination from HemaSpot blood collection devices: comparison of home‐prepared dried blood spots with standard venous blood analysis

“…None. In response to the letter from Verougstraete et al [1] regarding our publication 'HbA1c determination from HemaSpot blood collection devices: comparison of homeprepared dried blood spots with standard venous blood analysis' in Diabetic Medicine [2], we would like to provide the following comments. First, Verougstraete et al expressed concern that we had not considered our results from a clinical perspective.…”

“…We read with great interest the study by Hall et al [1] in this Journal, reporting on the suitability of dried blood spots (DBS) for HbA 1c monitoring. The authors concluded that clinically acceptable HbA 1c results could be obtained from home-prepared DBS (using the HemaSpot device), after applying a linear calibration model to adjust the results.…”