Is darkfield microscopic examination of fresh capillary blood a valid point of care screening to assess metabolic syndrome risk factors?

Fresh capillary blood analysis using darkfield microscopy (FCB-DM) is a point of care screening tool used by complementary healthcare practitioners in Australia, where capillary blood cells are untreated and viewed immediately. The aim of the study was to determine the validity of FCB-DM by examining the relationship between FCB-DM variables and venous blood pathology tests when screening for metabolic syndrome risk factors and the differential white blood cell count. The results of this research provided new evidence that supports FCB-DM as a potential point of care screening tool for metabolic risk factors based on moderate levels of correlations.