Article in press- uncorrected proof HbA1c measurements from dried blood spots: validation and patient satisfaction

Background: This study evaluates HbA1c measure-ments from dried blood spots collected on filter paper and compares HbA1c from filter paper (capillary blood) with HbA1c measured in venous blood. Methods: Patient satisfaction was evaluated using a questionnaire. The performance with the filter paper method was assessed by comparing HbA1c results from EDTA-blood samples obtained via dried blood spots with HbA1c results obtained with freshly hemo-lyzed blood (routine HbA1c). Adult patients visiting the outpatient clinic for HbA1c analyses were recruit-ed for the evaluation of dried blood spot sampling at home. Laboratory personnel collected a capillary blood sample on filter paper as well as a venou