The role of point-of-care blood testing for ketones in the diagnosis of diabetic ketoacidosis

BACKGROUND: Urine dipstick testing for ketones is widely used when diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is suspected in patients with hyperglycaemia. If urinary ketones are positive, patients are referred for further management--often inappropriately, as the test is a poor surrogate for plasma ketones. Plasma beta-hydroxybutyrate (β-OHB) levels>3 mmol/L are diagnostic of DKA, while levels3 mmol/L and 3 mmol/L), while at levels<1 mmol/L sensitivity was 100% and specificity 87.5%. CONCLUSION: The POCT device provides an accurate and precise result and can be used as an alternative to the MEM in the diagnosis of DKA.