Non-invasive methods of home blood glucose monitoring

Abstract

Diabetes is a worldwide health problem, a metabolic disorder that can lead to serious complications and damage to all vital organs. The resulting complications can be prevented with regular monitoring and maintenance of blood glucose level. The present review study aims to gather information on current methods for monitoring capillary blood glucose. Scientific articles were consulted in national and international journals, in addition to the Guidelines of the Brazilian Society of Diabetes and 9th Edition of the Diabetes Atlas of the International Diabetes Federation, American Diabetes Association, Ministry of Health and Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) data. Non-invasive methods include impedance spectroscopy, optical coherence tomography, photoacoustic spectroscopy, mid and near infrared spectroscopy, photoplethysmography. The advantages, in general, of non-invasive methods, seek ease of implementation and use, cost, accuracy in blood glucose measurement. The main disadvantages are physical parameters that can interfere with glucose measurement, as well as environmental variations. Interferences due to physiological factors can be eliminated using filtering processes, which suppress noise and increase effective information. With the present study, it is possible to conclude that there is a need to develop a non-invasive, painless, easily accessible method, without tissue damage, providing cost savings for the health system, considering quality of life, functional limitations, social and financial stress, emotional discomfort and depression in individuals with diabetes mellitus.