Effect of environmental temperature on self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG)

Abstract

Diabetic patients perform self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) for glucose control. SMBG can be carried out in various environments, such as at home or on the road. For that reason, we examined the effects of temperature on five SMBG devices. The temperatures of the SMBG devices and sensors were verified by seven combinations of low temperature, normal temperature and high temperature. As a result, we found that the temperatures of the SMBG devices and sensors are within ISO 15197 tolerance at the same temperature of the environment. But when a temperature difference occurred between the SMBG device and the sensor, the blood glucose level deviated from within ISO 15197 tolerance. When the temperature of the SMBG devices were low and the temperature of the sensors were room temperature, the blood glucose level became abnormally high. Conversely, when the SMBG devices were at a high temperature and the sensor were at room temperature, the blood glucose level was abnormally low. Observation of changes in blood glucose during the process of returning the SMBG device and sensor to room temperature showed that after 5 minutes it was within ISO 15197 tolerance. After 10 minutes, no effect of the temperature was observed. On the basis of the results of this study, we avoid the use of heaters and air conditioners where there is a risk of sudden temperature differences between the SMBG devices and sensors. It was confirmed that it is necessary to acclimate the devices and sensors to room temperature for at least 10 minutes.