OBJECTIVE - To evaluate the performance of a hand-held ketone sensor that i
s able to measure blood beta-hydroxybutyrate (beta-HBA) concentrations with
in 30 s in patients with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and patients who atten
d a weight management clinic.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS - Two groups of patients were studied: 19 patie
nts admitted with DKA and 156 patients attending a weight management clinic
. Paired capillary and venous whole blood samples were measured using the k
etone sensor and also using an enzymatic laboratory reference method.
RESULTS - The ketone sensor accurately measured beta-HBA concentrations in
patients with DKA (limits of agreement -0.9 to +1.0 mmol/l) or starvation-i
nduced ketonemia (limits of agreement -0.5 to +0.5 mmol/l).
CONCLUSIONS - This ketone sensor accurately measures whole blood beta-HBA c
oncentrations within 30 s.