Comparison of glycosylated hemoglobin and fructosamine assay as indices of glycaemic control in diabetic patients

ABSTRACT

A method for the measurement of serum fructosamine as an index of glycosylated proteins is presented. A reference range was derived from non-diabetic subjects. Fructosamine was measured in patients attending the diabetic out-patients clinic including those with nephropathy. A longitudinal study was also performed in group of pregnant diabetics. Fructosamine concentrations correlated significantly with HbA1 in diabetic patients [r=0.67, p<0.001]. A similar correlation was found for both insulin and non-insulin dependent diabetics. The correlation was also significant in the pregnant diabetic group [r=0.61, p<0.001]. The longitudinal study revealed that the measurement is a useful index for monitoring the glycaemic state during pregnancy. In the presence of pre-eclamptic toxaemia or nephropathy, with increased protein turnover and hypoalbuminaemia, lower results were obtained. The serum fructosamine assay is readily automated, rapid, cheap, and may complement that of HbA1 in the assessment of glycaemic control in diabetic patients