COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF POINT-OF-CARE TESTING METHODS AND LABORATORY-BASED SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC ANALYSIS FOR BLOOD GLUCOSE ESTIMATION: A NARRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Diabetes Mellitus (Food & Drug) has emerged as one of most critical health challenges, evolving into the most alarming disease in the 21^st century. According to the International Diabetes Federation, 11^th edition (2024), approximately 589 million adults aged 20-79 were living with diabetes which is equal to 11.1% of the global population. Based on the current dynamics, future projections are even more alarming indicating that there will be sharp rise among diabetic patients, by 45% reaching the 853 million by 2050 driven by unhealthy dieting patterns, aging populations.

Exact blood sugar level estimation is fundamental to the diagnose, monitor and manage the alarming situation of diabetes mellitus either type 1 or type 2 and other metabolic disorders. Currently, various rational approaches are employed in clinical settings most importantly point-of-care testing (POCT) techniques and laboratory-based spectrophotometric methods. Each mode of glucose estimations possesses certain advantages and limitations that affects its clinical pertinence across different healthcare settings.

This review offers an inclusive comparative estimation of various POCT glucose testing methods and laboratory-based spectrophotometric methods of blood glucose evaluation. The review debates about the potential error of analytical approaches underlying commonly used testing methods and the effect of pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical variables on accuracy of interpretations. Optical sensor devices, glucometers that runs electrochemically and continuous glucose monitoring systems (CGMs) are examined together with enzymatic laboratory methods including oxidase-peroxidase and hexokinase methods.

Comparative evaluation accentuates that POCT methods delivers fast turnaround time and workflow productivity making them crucial for intensive care units, emergency and outpatient settings. Though, POCT methods for estimation of glucose are markedly affected by physiological extremes, operator skills and analytical interventions. On the other hand, laboratory based spectrophotometric methods shows higher analytical accuracy, standardization and precision backup their roles as gold standard methods for diagnosis, monitoring, validation and quality assurance.

following review further reports about quality management or enhancement, current challenges or research gaps, clinical applications across vast number of patient populations and future perspective in glucose monitoring. Overall evidence supports a balanced, integrated testing strategy that combines the rapid availability of POCT with the analytical robustness of laboratory methods to optimize patient safety and clinical outcomes.