Oral Glucose Powder Solution versus 50% Intravenous Glucose Solution on Blood Glucose Levels and Satisfaction in the 50-gram Glucose Challenge Test: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objective: To compare blood glucose levels and patient satisfaction during gestational diabetes screening between two oral glucose formulations: 50 grams of dissolved glucose powder in water versus 50% intravenous glucose solution diluted for oral intake.
Materials and methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted from July 2024 to July 2025. A total of 208 pregnant women were randomly allocated into two equal groups. Group 1 (n = 104) received 50 grams of glucose powder dissolved in water, while Group 2 (n = 104) received 50% glucose solution intended for intravenous injection, also diluted in water. In both groups, the glucose solutions were prepared to a final volume of 300 mL and administered orally. All participants underwent the glucose screening test by drinking the assigned solution. Blood glucose levels were measured one hour after ingestion. The primary outcome was to compare the mean 1-hour post-load plasma glucose between the two groups. The secondary outcome was to compare patient satisfaction regarding the taste and ease of glucose solution consumption between the groups.
Results: There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the two groups. Similarly, there was no significant difference in 1-hour post-load plasma glucose. The mean blood glucose level was 119.22 mg/dL in the distilled glucose powder group and 121.25 mg/dL in the 50% intravenous glucose solution group (mean difference = -1.84, 95% confidence interval (CI) -8.62-4.95). There was no statistically significant difference in the proportion of positive glucose challenge test results between the groups (19.23% vs 24.03%, risk ratio 1.25, 95% CI 0.74-2.11, p = 0.703). However, the satisfaction score was significantly higher in the group that drank distilled glucose powder in water compared to the group that drank 50% intravenous glucose solution (p = 0.005).
Conclusion: The administration of 50 grams of glucose powder dissolved in water and 100 milliliters of 50% injectable glucose solution diluted to a total volume of 300 milliliters resulted in no significant difference in 1-hour post-load plasma glucose levels. However, the consumption of 50 grams of glucose powder was reported to result in ease of ingestion.