COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF BLOOD GLUCOSE LEVEL USING DIFFERENT DIAGNOSTIC KITS AMONG TYPHOID FEVER PATIENTS ATTENDING MURTALA MUHAMMAD GENERAL HOSPITAL, KANO STATE

ABSTRACT This study assessed the comparative accuracy of different diagnostic kits used for blood glucose estimation among typhoid fever patients attending Murtala Muhammad General Hospital, Kano State. A cross-sectional comparative design was employed involving 150 clinically confirmed typhoid patients. Blood glucose levels were determined using a Blood Glucose Meter (BGM), a Colorimeter, and the enzymatic glucose oxidase laboratory method, which served as the reference standard. Venous and capillary blood samples were collected and analyzed under standardized procedures. The mean glucose values were 95.6 ± 14.7 mg/dL for the laboratory method, 97.9 ± 16.1 mg/dL for BGM, and 96.4 ± 14.2 mg/dL for the colorimeter. Correlation analysis showed a very strong relationship among the three methods (r = 0.93–0.97), with the colorimeter exhibiting the highest correlation with the laboratory reference. The mean difference between colorimeter and laboratory results (+0.8 mg/dL) was not statistically significant (p > 0.05), while the BGM showed a slightly higher bias (+2.3 mg/dL; p < 0.05). These findings indicate that both diagnostic kits are reliable for clinical use, although colorimetric methods demonstrated closer agreement with the laboratory reference. The study concludes that while BGMs are suitable for rapid bedside glucose monitoring, colorimetric assays provide more precise results for confirmatory testing. Regular calibration of BGMs and combined use with laboratory verification are recommended to enhance accuracy in glucose monitoring among typhoid patients.