Abstract
The relationship between glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1) levels and plasma glucose levels, age at onset of diabetes, duration of diabetes, degree of obesity, diabetic complications or therapeutic methods of diabetes treatment were studied in 112 diabetic patients, and the following results were obtained : 1) HbA1 levels were not influenced by shortterm alterations of plasma glucose levels. 2) HbA1 levels were significantly correlated with present fasting plasma glucose levels and alsn those before 1 to 6 months. Furthermore, they were highly correlated with the mean fasting plasma glucose levels during the former three months. 3) HbA1 levels tended to be higher, and duration of disease was longer in the patients with the onset of the disease occurring before 29 years of age. But, HbA1 levels were not related to the degree of obesity. 4) HbA1 levels were significantly higher in patients with diabetic complications (retinopathy only and neuropathy) that in those without complications, 5) Among the patients on insulin, oral hypoglycemic agents and diet, the concentration of HbA1 was highest in those on diet. These results indicate that HbA1 measurement is useful in the follow up and treatment of diabetic patients.
