Novel use of menstrual blood for monitoring glycaemic control in patients with diabetes: a proof-of-concept study
Naseri S, Brewster RCL, Blumenthal PDBMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health · 2022DOI 10.1136/bmjsrh-2021-201211
In plain language
The proof-of-concept study behind the Q-Pad A1c test: 172 women of reproductive age, 73 of them living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, self-collected menstrual blood on the Q-Pad while venous blood was drawn. Mean HbA1c was 6.53% in menstrual against 6.50% in venous blood, with r = 0.949 overall and 0.914 in women with diabetes.
Key numbers
- 172
- Women, 73 of them with diabetes
- 6.53% vs 6.50%
- Mean HbA1c, menstrual versus venous
- r = 0.949
- Correlation across all participants
What it means
This is the proof-of-concept study behind the Q-Pad A1c Test, which the FDA later cleared for monitoring long-term blood sugar control in women with diabetes. It does not support using menstrual blood to diagnose or screen for diabetes.
What it does not show
Women aged 18 to 45, about 42% with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, compared once against a venous draw; it supports HbA1c monitoring in women with diabetes, not diagnosing or screening for diabetes, and not use in pregnancy.
How to cite
Naseri S, Brewster RCL, Blumenthal PD. Novel use of menstrual blood for monitoring glycaemic control in patients with diabetes: a proof-of-concept study. BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health. 2022;48(2):123-127. doi:10.1136/bmjsrh-2021-201211