Using Radar Plots to Demonstrate the Accuracy and Precision of 6 Blood Glucose Monitoring Systems

Abstract

Background: Previously, fingertip capillary blood glucose measurements from the CONTOUR®NEXT (CN) blood glucose monitoring system (BGMS) and 5 other BGMSs were evaluated in comparison with measurements from a reference YSI glucose analyzer. Here, we use Radar Plots to graphically represent the accuracy and precision results from the previous study, including whether they met ISO 15197:2013 accuracy criteria. Method: A Radar Plot, a new method for capturing a distinct, single visualization of BGMS analytical performance, is a collection of concentric circles, each representing a particular magnitude of error. The center of the plot represents zero error (BGMS result is equivalent to reference result); as points are more distant from the center, the error increases, expressed in units of mg/dL or percentage for YSI values <100 and ≥100 mg/dL, respectively. The position of the data point above or below the horizontal line bisecting the plot indicates whether the BGMS measurement error was positive (BGMS result > YSI result) or negative (BGMS result