Glycated albumin levels are higher relative to glycated haemoglobin levels in gastrectomized subjects

Abstract

Background In gastrectomized subjects, oral glucose tolerance test often shows marked hyperglycaemia (oxyhyperglycaemia) after glucose loading. Because serum glycated albumin (GA) has been shown to better reflect postprandial and maximum plasma glucose levels, we investigated whether or not the clinical significance of serum GA and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1C) in non-diabetic gastrectomized subjects differs. Methods During health examinations, 62 non-diabetic subjects with a history of gastrectomy and 87 non-diabetic control subjects were selected in the present study. Body mass index (BMI) in the gastrectomy group was significantly lower than in the control group. Results Fasting plasma glucose levels were significantly lower in the gastrectomized subjects than in the control subjects. Although both HbA1C and serum GA were significantly higher in the gastrectomized subjects, there was a significant difference in GA/HbA1C ratio between the gastrectomized subjects and the control subjects. BMI-adjusted serum GA, based on our previous finding of inverse influence of BMI on serum GA, was also significantly higher in the gastrectomized subjects than in the controls. Conclusions Serum GA is higher relative to HbA1C in gastrectomized subjects. This suggests that serum GA may be a better marker than HbA1C for glycaemic excursion in these subjects.