Distinct biomarker roles for HbA1c and glycated albumin in patients with type 2 diabetes on hemodialysis

Abstract

AimsHbA1c and glycated albumin (GA) are used to monitor glycemia, but their accuracy to represent glycemic profiles in hemodialysis remains controversial. MethodsContinuous glucose monitoring in 97 patients with type 2 diabetes (41 on hemodialysis [HD] and 56 without nephropathy) was analyzed to evaluate whether HbA1c and/or GA serve as appropriate glycemic profile markers. ResultsThe average glucose significantly correlated with HbA1c in both HD group and group without nephropathy (r=0.59, P<0.0001; r=0.40, P<0.005). The slopes of linear regression lines were statistically indistinguishable (F=0.30, P=0.744), while the y-intercepts were significantly different (F=57.86, P<0.0001). GA showed strong correlation with the glycemic standard deviation (r=0.68, P<0.0001), and with the average glucose (r=0.42, P<0.001). Least square analysis revealed that only HbA1c, but not GA, was significantly associated with the average glucose (F=10.20, P<0.0005; F=0.38, P=0.5427), while only GA was significantly associated with the glycemic variability in HD group. ConclusionsIn HD participants, HbA1c correlates with the average glucose more than GA, but underestimates it, and a correction formula of HbA1c can be developed as an appreciable marker. GA value itself reflects the average glucose, but less accurately than HbA1c, while it could serve as an indicator for hyperglycemia/hypoglycemia excursion.