title: Quality of HbA1c Measurement in the Practice: The German Perspective.
abstract: Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) measurement has come to be a cornerstone in modern diabetes therapy. However, the methodological aspects of this type of measurement have been given little attention lately due to its position as an established method of choice. Nevertheless, quite a number of issues face practical application, such as clinically relevant differences between different measurement methods--both lab-based and point-of-care (POCT) systems will show better or worse diabetes management results after switching methods; and there are a number of possible reasons that need to be known and observed in practice. The aim of this review is to draw attention to these problems from a German point of view and provide suggestions for appropriate measures to improve the situation.
authors.affiliation: Science & Co, Düsseldorf, Germany I.heinemann@science-co.com.
authors.forename: Lutz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Heinemann
authors.affiliation: Institut für Diabetes-Technologie Forschungs- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH an der Universität Ulm, Ulm, Germany.
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Freckmann
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D005858:Germany; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012015:Reference Standards; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin
keywords: HbA1c; National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program; laboratory determination; point-of-care testing instruments