Evaluation of an electronic Oral Glucose Tolerance Test Kit (eOGTTK)

ISRCTN ISRCTN91288133
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN91288133
Secondary identifying numbers TRG 10/02
Submission date
18/04/2012
Registration date
27/04/2012
Last edited
23/10/2013
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Nutritional, Metabolic, Endocrine
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
In routine clinical practice, the most accurate way to diagnose diabetes is by conducting an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT). An OGTT is conducted in a clinical setting (hospital or GP surgery) and involves taking blood from a vein before and after consumption of a standard sugary drink. The blood samples are sent to a laboratory for measurement of the levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. This test can also detect changes in blood sugar levels before diabetes develops (pre-diabetes).

This study evaluated a new electronic OGTT kit that measured the level of sugar in fingerprick blood samples and was designed to be used by untrained individuals in their home. The study investigated whether the kit produced accurate and repeatable blood sugar measurements, whether participants were able to use the kit unaided, and what their feelings were about performing the test themselves.

Who can participate?
The study involved 30 participants, of whom 12 had previously diagnosed type 2 diabetes (stable for the last 3 months using diet or metformin only), 18 did not have known diabetes. The participants could have been male or female and were aged 18 or over.

What does the study involve?
Participants were asked to use the electronic OGTT kit on six occasions. The kit used fingerprick blood samples and did not require any laboratory involvement or trained personnel.

The electronic OGTT kit was assessed in 3 different settings:
1. Two home-based (and unobserved) tests
2. Two clinic-based and observed tests (preferably without any nurse intervention)
3. Two clinic-based and nurse-led tests

During the two nurse-led visits, venous blood samples for laboratory measurement of sugar were taken in tandem with the fingerprick blood samples. No drugs (oral, topical or injected) were being tested in this study.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
There was no direct benefit to the participant from this study. The results of this study may provide valuable information about the future use of the electronic OGTT kit by the general public. This knowledge may be used to help others by enabling widespread screening of individuals in regions with limited access to clinical staff and laboratory resources. In the unlikely event that participants had previously unrecognized impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes this would have been detected so that treatment could be commenced at an earlier stage to give greater benefits. Some people may have felt nausea if they consumed the glucose drink too quickly. Some people may have experienced sore fingers after the finger pricks. Occasionally there may have been local bruising as a result of blood drawn from the vein.

Where is the study run from?
Clinical Research Unit at the Oxford Centre for Diabetes (Oxford, UK).

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
The first participant was recruited in April 2011 and the last visit took place in July 2011.

Who is funding the study?
Novartis Pharma AG (Basel, Switzerland).

Who is the main contact?
Prof M. Angelyn Bethel
trg@dtu.ox.ac.uk

Study website

Contact information

Dr M. Angelyn Bethel
Scientific

Diabetes Trials Unit
Oxford Centre for Diabetes
Endocrinology and Metabolism
Old Road
Headington
Oxford
OX3 7LJ
United Kingdom

Study information

Study designRandomized crossover study
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Other
Study typeDiagnostic
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Scientific titleEvaluation of an electronic Oral Glucose Tolerance Test Kit: a randomized crossover study
Study acronymeOGTTK
Study objectivesThe study assessed the reliability, repeatability, and user acceptability of a novel electronic Oral Glucose Tolerance Test Kit (eOGTTK) that guided untrained individuals to perform an oral glucose tolerance test in a home setting using capillary blood samples.
Ethics approval(s)South East London Research Ethics Committee, 15 March 2011, ref: 10/H0808/164
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedDiabetes (type 2)
InterventionParticipants used the eOGTTK on six occasions in three settings:
1. Two home based (and unobserved) tests
2. Two clinic based and observed tests (preferably without any nurse intervention)
3. Two clinic based and nurse-led tests
During the two nurse-led visits, venous blood samples for a standard laboratory OGTT were collected at the same time. Tests were scheduled between 2 and 7 days apart, resulting in a maximum duration of observation up to 7 weeks. Focus groups to assess user acceptability were scheduled within 4 weeks of the last test.

Samples from the 0 and 120 minute time points of the eOGTTK tests were compared to asses the degree of variation in different settings (repeatability) and the degree of variation (reproducibility) within each setting. Samples from the 0 and 120 minute time points of the eOGTTK test and the laboratory test were compared to evaluate the accuracy of the eOGTTK values.
Intervention typeOther
Primary outcome measureTo evaluate the precision of the eOGTTK by assessing:
1. Repeatability: the degree of variation when assessed in different settings
2. Reproducibility: the degree of variation within each setting
Secondary outcome measures1. To evaluate the user acceptability of the eOGTTK through the use of a validated device satisfaction questionnaire and focus groups
2. To investigate any possible training effects with repeated eOGTTK use
3. To evaluate the accuracy of the eOGTTK 0’ and 120’ values compared with laboratory measured venous plasma glucose values
Overall study start date01/04/2011
Completion date06/07/2011

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participantsUK Sample Size: 30
Key inclusion criteria1. Willing and able to give informed consent for participation in the study
2. Aged 18 years or above
3. Had adequate vision and reading comprehension to follow the electronic OGTT kit instructions in English
4. Patients with type 2 diabetes were:
4.1. Treated with diet alone or with metformin monotherapy
4.2. Had stable therapy for at least 3 months prior to study enrollment or
5. Individuals without diagnosed diabetes had no prior experience of an OGTT or any tests which involved finger-pricking
Key exclusion criteria1. Pregnancy or planned pregnancy during the study period
2. Participant taking drugs that may affect glucose levels
3. History or current evidence of any condition, therapy, laboratory abnormality, or other circumstance which, in the opinion of the investigator, posed an unacceptable risk to the individual, confounded the results of the study, or was likely to interfere with the individual’s participation of the full duration of the trial
Date of first enrolment01/04/2011
Date of final enrolment06/07/2011

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • England
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centre

Diabetes Trials Unit
Oxford
OX3 7LJ
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

Novartis Pharma AG (Switzerland)
Industry

Lichstrasse 35
Basel
4056
Switzerland

Website http://www.novartis.com/
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/02f9zrr09

Funders

Funder type

Industry

Novartis Pharma AG (UK)

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot provided at time of registration
Publication and dissemination planNot provided at time of registration
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Other publications Also available on the Oxford University Research Archive: 01/06/2013 Yes No
Results article results 01/06/2013 Yes No