The following article requires a subscription:



(Format: HTML)

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the performance of a hand-held ketone sensor that is able to measure blood [beta]-hydroxybutyrate ([beta]-HBA) concentrations within 30 s in patients with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and patients who attend a weight management clinic.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Two groups of patients were studied: 19 patients admitted with DKA and 156 patients attending a weight management clinic. Paired capillary and venous whole blood samples were measured using the ketone sensor and also using an enzymatic laboratory reference method.

RESULTS: The ketone sensor accurately measured [beta]-HBA concentrations in patients with DKA (limits of agreement -0.9 to 1.0 mmol/l) or starvation-induced ketonemia (limits of agreement -0.5 to 0.5 mmol/l).

CONCLUSIONS: This ketone sensor accurately measures whole blood [beta]-HBA concentrations within 30 s.

(C) 2000 by the American Diabetes Association, Inc.