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| Authors | A Serracino Inglott L M Azzopardi M Zarb Adami V Azzopardi |
| Abstract | Aims: To determine the significance of HbA1c testing in the diagnosis of diabetes and to assess correlation between HbA1c results and concomitant conditions. Method: A prospective study was carried out with 272 patients (mean age- 52 years, range 25-83 years) referred for diagnosis of diabetes. Patient medical history and laboratory results were compiled. A comparison of diagnostic capabilities of HbA1c with FPG and OGTT was studied and the influence of occurrence of hyperlipidaemia, hypertension, obesity and family history of diabetes on HbA1c results were analysed. Statistical analysis was carried out using the Biomedical Data Package. Results: Diagnosis according to FPG and OGTT was: 68 (25%) normoglycaemic, 49 (18%) borderline and 155 (57%) diabetic. The Pearson chi-square test indicated correlation between results obtained with FPG and HbA1c, and results obtained with OGTT and HbA1c (p<0.05 for both). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves comparing HbA1c and FPG, and HbA1c and OGTT was 0.77 and 0.78 respectively. HbA1c values were unaffected by the occurrence of concomitant factors (p values of Mann Whitney test >0.05). Conclusion: HbA1c testing cannot be used as a single diagnostic test since 22% of the abnormal glucose tolerant population is missed. Considering the fact that HbA1c testing kits are now available for use in community pharmacies, the pharmacist may confirm result of FPG test with HbA1c test result for patients who present with an abnormal FPG result. HbA1c values are unaffected by the concomitant conditions studied and therefore any changes in HbA1c levels reflect changes in glycaemic control irrelevant to the status of the other conditions. |
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| Journal | Malta Medical Journal |
| Volume | 15 Issue 1-2/suppl. 2003 |
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| Key words | testing, glycosylated haemoglobin, interpretation |