Continuous glucose monitoring and haemoglobin A(1c).
BACKGROUND
Measurement of HbA(1c) is the standard test for assessment of glycaemic control in diabetic subjects. Using new glucose sensing technology we re-evaluated the significance of HbA(1c) in terms of the aspects of the blood profile it measures in patients with diabetes.


METHODS
In a group of 27 patients with type 1 diabetes, interstitial fluid glucose concentrations were monitored for a mean of 2.6 days using the Continuous Glucose Monitoring System trade mark (MiniMed Inc, CA, USA). Results were correlated with an HBA(1c) measurement taken at the time of sensor insertion.


RESULTS
Results were available in 25 subjects, two datasets being lost due to patient error. There was a correlation between mean sensor glucose value, and the HbA(1c) value (r = 0.59, P = 0.002). The correlation with standard deviation of the readings was weaker (r = 0.3, P = 0.15). No other descriptor of the sensor glucose concentration correlated with HbA(1c).


CONCLUSIONS
The mean interstitial glucose concentration recorded with the Continuous Glucose Monitoring System correlates with HbA(1c) level recorded at the time, but with no other marker of glucose control in diabetic subjects. These results have implications for the interpretation of HbA(1c) concentrations in type 1 diabetes.
Sharp
Patrick
P
Department of Endocrinology, Northwick Park Hospital, Harrow HA1 3UJ, UK. patrick.sharp@nwlh.nhs.uk
Rainbow
Sandra
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis*; D015190:Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin