Hemoglobin Glycosylation Index is not related with blood glucose

Abstract

Objective: Accurate assessment of blood glucose control is essential to prevent chronic complications in diabetes. Hemoglobin Glycosylation Index (HGI) quantifies the degree to which individuals demonstrate a HbA 1C higher or lower than average for the population. This study has aimed to assess the relationship between HGI and blood glucose. Methods: 25 type 1 diabetes subjects (12 men and 13 women), 22.0±5.2 (17–34) years old, were instructed to self-monitor glucose with the One Touch Profile capillary glucose meter. HbA 1C was determined and self-monitored blood glucose levels were studied every 3 months. Diabetic patients were monitored for 3–9 months and 62 measurements of HbA 1C were included. HbA 1C was measured by HPLC. Mean blood glucose (MBG) was calculated from self-monitored blood glucose records. A linear regression was calculated between HbA 1C and MBG during the 60 days before sampling to determine HbA 1C. For each diabetic patient's MBG, a predicted HbA 1C was calculated from the population regression equation. HGI was then calculated as HGI=observed HbA 1C −predicted HbA 1C . Blood glucose was analyzed within target range (WTR), below target range (BTR) and above target range (ATR) according to The European Diabetes Policy Group Consensus for type 1 diabetes. Results: A good linear regression between HbA 1C and MBG was observed ( r=.71, r 2=.497, P=.000). No correlation was found between HGI and the percentage of WTR, BTR or ATR values. Moreover, the percentage of self-monitored blood glucose ATR and BTR was the same for high glycosylators (HGI<0 and ATR: 56.2±20.9%; HGI<0 and BTR: 34.5±17.5%) as for low glycosylators (HGI>0 and ATR: 52.8±25.5%; HGI>0 and BTR: 25.1±15.0%). Conclusions: HGI is determined for both physiological factors and blood glucose. A prospective study is necessary to assess whether HGI, together with HbA 1C, can predict the incidence and severity of chronic complications in diabetic patients.