What Researchers Did
Researchers investigated how high pressure, similar to that in a hyperbaric chamber, affects blood glucose readings from the Bayer Glucometer 4 blood sugar meter.
What They Found
They found that blood glucose readings taken with the Glucometer 4 inside a hyperbaric chamber at 3.7 atmospheres absolute (atm abs) were significantly different from readings taken with the same meter at normal atmospheric pressure. The readings taken under pressure also differed significantly from standard laboratory serum glucose measurements.
Canadian Relevance
No direct Canadian connection identified. The study does not involve Canadian authors or institutions, and while hyperbaric oxygen therapy is used in Canada, this particular study focuses on glucometer accuracy under pressure rather than a specific Health Canada-recognized HBOT indication.
Study Limitations
This study was conducted in 1996 using an older model of glucometer, so its findings may not apply to modern blood glucose monitoring devices.