Dimension rxl max clinical chemistry system

Both venous and capillary samples were used during 2004 and 2008 for glucose testing in our institution. Venous blood was collected using fluoride oxalate tubes and analysed using a hexokinase method (Dimension RxL Max Clinical Chemistry System; Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, Deerfield, IL, USA) in our laboratory accredited by Clinical Pathology Accreditation, UK. Capillary samples were analysed using the Bayer Elite glucose monitoring system (Bayer, Newbury, UK). Although both laboratory and point-of-care methods were regularly calibrated, small differences exist between capillary and venous glucose testing [18 (link)]. The same diagnostic criteria were used for both capillary and venous tests.

A research nurse obtained consent, checked a self-completed questionnaire, measured weight, height, waist circumference, BP and collected blood (HbA1c, lipids) using standardised methodology/ equipment following training by the local Medical Research Council Epidemiology Unit. The questionnaire included socio-demographic and clinical questions (eg medications), and measures of depression (PHQ8), quality of life (EQ5D), diabetes self-efficacy, the Revised Diabetes Knowledge Scale (RDKS), diabetes distress, and medication adherence [12 (link)–17 (link)]. IFCC aligned HbA1c (High performance liquid chromatography, Tosoh G7, Tokyo, Japan) and lipid measurements (Dimension RxL Max Clinical Chemistry System, Siemens, Erlangen, Germany) were undertaken in one ‘CPA’ accredited laboratory to minimise variation in both the primary outcome, HbA1c and total cholesterol, a secondary outcome.
Outcomes were measured using postal questionnaires at 4–6 months and face-to-face measurements and questionnaires after 8–12 months. Clinical data was extracted where data remained missing, if collected within three months of the expected measurement date.

Both venous and capillary blood samples were used during 2004–2008 for glucose testing in our institution. Venous blood was collected using fluoride–oxalate tubes and analysed using a hexokinase method (Dimension RXL MAX Clinical Chemistry System; Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, Deerfield, IL, USA) in our accredited laboratory (Clinical Pathology Accreditation, UK Accreditation Service, Feltham, UK). Capillary samples were analysed using the Bayer Elite glucose monitoring system (Bayer, Newbury, UK). Although both laboratory and point-of-care methods were regularly calibrated, small differences exist between capillary and venous glucose testing [19 (link)]. The same diagnostic criteria were used for both capillary and venous tests.