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Emerg Med J 2009;26:732-733 doi:10.1136/emj.2008.067041
  • Short report

Pilot study of random finger prick glucose testing as a screening tool for type 2 diabetes mellitus in the emergency department

  1. N Hewat1,
  2. D McD Taylor1,
  3. E MacDonald2
  1. 1
    Emergency Department, Austin Hospital, Victoria, Australia
  2. 2
    Worthing Hospital, Sussex, UK
  1. Correspondence to A/Prof D McD Taylor, Emergency Department, Austin Hospital, Studley Road, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia; david.taylor{at}austin.org.au
  • Accepted 9 February 2009

Abstract

Background: A study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of undiagnosed hyperglycaemia among patients in the emergency department (ED) and to evaluate the usefulness of random fingerprick plasma glucose (RFPG) screening in the ED with GP follow-up.

Methods: A cross-sectional pilot study of 101 non-diabetic patients in the ED aged ≥45 years was performed.

Results: 31 (30.7%) had never had diabetic screening. 67 (66.3%) had plasma glucose levels ≥5.5 mmol/l and were advised to consult their GP; 38 (56.7%) did so and 23 (60.5%) of these had follow-up testing. Nine patients (8.9%) were ultimately diagnosed with impaired glucose metabolism.

Conclusion: There is considerable potential for diabetic screening in the ED setting.

Footnotes

  • Funding None.

  • Competing interests None.

  • Ethics approval The study was authorised by the institution’s ethics committee.

  • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.

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