Comparison of two glucose-monitoring systems for use in horses.

This research aims to evaluate the accuracy of two interstitial glucose-monitoring systems for use in horses, compared to a conventional point-of-care glucometer and standard laboratory chemistry method.

Objective and Methodology

• The study compared two interstitial glucose monitoring systems (GMSs) – the Dexcom G6 and the Freestyle Libre 14-day – with a point-of-care glucometer and standard enzymatic chemistry method (CHEM) in eight clinically normal adult horses.
• The GMS devices were attached to each horse and blood glucose levels were measured at 33 different time points and compared with the readings obtained from the POC glucometer and CHEM.
• An oral glucose absorption test (OGAT) was performed on day 2 and glucose concentrations were measured and compared as well.

Results

• All devices showed significant correlation in glucose concentration readings from day 1 to day 5.
• Glucose readings from Dexcom G6 and Freestyle Libre 14-day showed an acceptable level of agreement when compared with CHEM on days 1, 3, 4, and 5. The combined mean bias of these devices was 10.45 mg/dL for Dexcom G6 and 1.53 mg/dL for Freestyle Libre 14-day, respectively.
• On day 2, during dextrose-induced hyperglycemia, the bias values for Dexcom G6 was 10.49 mg/dL and for Freestyle Libre 14-day was 0.34 mg/dL, indicating good agreement with the CHEM method.

Conclusion

• The practice of serial blood glucose measurements is commonly used to diagnose or monitor various health conditions in horses. The advent of near-continuous glucose monitoring technologies enables a minimally invasive method of assessing glucose levels, reducing stress and discomfort for the animals.
• The data collected in this research supports the use of Dexcom G6 and Freestyle Libre 14-day interstitial glucose-monitoring systems as reliable methods in estimating blood glucose concentrations in horses.