Significance of hemoglobin A1C in the management of diabetes in dialysis patients

Abstract

According to latest guidelines hemoglobin A1C plays a central role in the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. It is well-known from epidemiologic studies that a high rate of diabetic patients enters into dialysis programs and these patients have an unfavourable mortality outcome. Based on surveys conducted in recent years in this patient group, hemoglobin A1C has an important role in assessing carbohydrate metabolism. However, there are several factors independent of blood glucose may affect hemoglobin A1C values both in hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients. Hemodialysis disturbs hemoglobin A1c assessment because of an accelerated turnover of lost red blood cells. During peritoneal dialysis a considerable amount of glucose may be absorbed from the peritoneal solutions that may influence hemoglobin A1C level. Several alternative markers such as glycated albumin and fructosamine have been evaluated but they failed to have prognostic advantage. It has been concluded that among dialysis patients the hemoglobin A1C range between 6.5 and 8% is associated with the lowest mortality risk. Orv. Hetil., 2014, 155(36), 1421–1425.