title: Glycated nail proteins: a new approach for detecting diabetes in developing countries.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess glycation of nail proteins as a tool in the diagnosis of diabetes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Glycation of nail proteins was assessed using a modified photometric nitroblue tetrazolium-based assay, which provides information about average glucose values of the last 6-9 months. Analysis is possible on 10 mg of nail clippings with a within-run coefficient of variation (CV) of 11%. The analyte is extremely stable. The reference range for glycated nail protein (0.55-3.60 μmol/g nail) increases upon ageing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In diabetics (n = 112), values for glycated nail protein are significantly higher (median: 4.07 μmol/g nail, IQR: 2.37-6.89 μmol/g nail, P < 0.0001) than in non-diabetics (n = 116). ROC analysis shows an AUC of 0.848 (specificity 93.1%; sensitivity 68.9%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This affordable method is a simple alternative for diagnosing diabetes in remote areas as the pre-analytical phase (including all processes from the time a laboratory request is made by a physician until the sample is ready for testing) is extremely robust.
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, Catholic University of Bukavu, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
authors.forename: Antoine Sadiki
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Kishabongo
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Katchunga
authors.forename: Elisabeth H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Van Aken
authors.forename: Marijn M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Speeckaert
authors.forename: Sabrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lagniau
authors.forename: Dashty
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Husein
authors.forename: Youri E
authors.initials: YE
authors.lastname: Taes
authors.forename: Joris R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Delanghe
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003906:Developing Countries; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009262:Nails / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D012372:ROC Curve; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D011506:Proteins
keywords: fructosamine; glycation; hair; keratin; nails