HbA1c determination from HemaSpot™ blood collection devices: comparison of home prepared dried blood spots with standard venous blood analysis

Aim: To assess the clinical performance and patient acceptance of HemaSpot™ blood collection devices as an alternative blood collection method. Methods: Adult men and women with any type of diabetes, routinely carrying out self-monitoring of blood glucose were recruited (n = 128). Participants provided a venous blood sample and prepared two HemaSpot dried blood spots, one at clinics and one at home. HbA _1c analysis was by Tosoh G8 high-performance liquid chromatography. Participants also completed a questionnaire. Results: Strong linear relationships been HbA _1c levels in dried blood spots and venous blood were observed and a linear model was fitted to the data. Time between dried blood spot preparation and testing did not impact the model. Participants were accepting of the approach: 69.2% would use this system if available and 60.7% would be more likely to use this system than going to their general practitioner. Conclusions: The combination of a robust desiccating dried blood spot device, home sample preparation and return by post produces HbA _1c data that support the use of a time-independent linear calibration of dried blood spot to venous blood HbA _1c. A robust remote sample collection service would be valuable to people living with diabetes in urban areas who are working or house-bound as well as those living in remote or rural locations.