Reduction in glycated albumin can predict change in HbA1c: comparison of oral hypoglycaemic agent and insulin treatments.

Aim To investigate whether the change in glycated albumin 3 weeks after initiating anti-diabetes treatment (oral hypoglycaemic agent or insulin) could predict the corresponding change in HbA1c 3 months later in Korean patients with Type 2 diabetes. Methods A total of 140 patients were enrolled into two groups: group I (insulin-based; n = 100) and group II (oral hypoglycaemic agent-based; n = 40). Both glycated albumin and HbA1c levels were measured as glucose control markers during hospitalization. Glycated albumin was measured again at 3 weeks (first visit) after the initial measurement, and HbA1c was measured at 3 months (second visit) after the initial measurement.. The change in glucose control marker was defined as 100 x (follow-up glucose control marker hospital glucose control marker)/hospital glucose control marker. Results In both groups, the change in glycated albumin at the first visit and in HbA1c at the second visit showed a moderate linear relationship (r = 0.735; P < 0.01). In group II (r = 0.778; P < 0.01), a slightly stronger linear relationship was demonstrated than in group I (r = 0.738; P < 0.001); however, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. A correlation coefficient between the change in glycated albumin and HbA1c was not affected by sex, age, BMI, haemoglobin, serum creatinine or albumin. Conclusion The reduction in glycated albumin 3 weeks after the initiation of treatment corresponded with the reduction in HbA1c 3 months after starting treatment in both the group treated with a oral hypoglycaemic agent and the insulin-treated group of Korean patients with Type 2 diabetes.