Glycaemia-independent ethnic differences in HbA(1c) in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance.
OBJECTIVE
To study the ethnic differences in HbA(1c) between Whites and South Asians with impaired glucose tolerance.


METHODS
We audited 75g oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) performed in Clinical Chemistry, New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton over 1 year. HbA(1c) and glycaemia were compared between Whites and South Asians with impaired glucose intolerance (IGT).


RESULTS
There were 46 South Asians (22 female) and 88 Whites (41 female). South Asian subjects were younger (59.2 +/- 14.31 vs. 67.6 +/- 12.63 yrs; P < 0.001) and weighed less (78.1 +/- 17.2 vs. 87.47 +/- 19.1 kgs; P < 0.001) than White subjects. HbA(1c) levels were higher (6.5 +/- 0.7 vs. 6.1 +/- 0.6%; P < 0.001) in South Asians compared to Whites. Fasting glucose (5.71 +/- 0.5 vs. 5.93 +/- 0.7; P = 0.039) was lower in South Asians but 2hour glucose (10.5 +/- 1.0 vs. 10.40 +/- 0.9; P = 0.404) was similar in both ethnic groups.


CONCLUSIONS
South Asians have higher HbA(1c) levels than Whites despite lower fasting glucose value on OGTT, indicating ethnic differences in HbA(1c) are due to glycaemia-independent factors.
Likhari
T
T
Department of Clinical Chemistry, New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton, West Midlands WV10 0QP, UK. t.likhari@btinternet.com
Gama
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044466:Asian People / Q000208:ethnology; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D004739:England; D005215:Fasting / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D018149:Glucose Intolerance / Q000097:blood*; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D044465:White People
D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin