Reference values for hemoglobin A1cin males living in Khartoum State: Pilot study 2016

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to establish the normal values of hemoglobin A 1c in Sudanese healthy adult males living in Khartoum State and compare the result with the international values. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted during 2016 in Khartoum State on adult males of ages between 35 and 45 years and not known to be diabetic or suffering from any chronic illness. Twenty participants were assessed by a questionnaire covering age, family history of diabetes mellitus (DM), physical activity, daily caloric intake and smoking history, and body mass index (BMI) was calculated by measuring weight and height by weight and height measuring devices (scale). A sample of 3 ml venous blood was taken for fasting blood glucose to exclude DM and measurement of HbA 1c using modified ELISA reader known as Nycocard © machine. Correlations between the variables were estimated and P Results: The mean of HbA 1c was 3.8% ± 1.17 with a range of 1.2-5.4%. There was no correlation between Hb level, daily caloric intake, and the level of HbA 1c ( r = 0). There was intermediate correlation between body mass index and Hb A 1c - ( r = 0.32). All the participants in this study had normal body mass index (18.5-25) with mean (23.6). There was weak statistical correlation between age and HbA 1c ( r = 0.07), but the family history, smoking, and physical activity were found to be positive statistically significant to HbA 1c ( P 1c in smokers was 3.8% (±1.4%) and in nonsmokers was 3.1% (±1.0). The mean HbA 1c of those with positive family history of DM 4% (±0.8%) was significantly higher than those with negative family history 3.5% (±1.3%). The mean of HbA 1c in physically active participants was 3.9% (±0.9) and in the nonactive participants was 3.1% (±1.3). Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that there is a difference in values of HbA 1c between the international values and Sudan, so the normal values for HbA 1c in Sudanese need to be established from a large sample.