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

Glycated Albumin for Glycemic Control in T2DM Population: A Multi-Dimensional Evaluation

Purpose

To investigate the glycated albumin (GA) introduction implications, as an add-on strategy to traditional glycemic control (Hb1Ac and fasting plasma glucose – FPG) instruments, considering insulin-naïve individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), treated with oral therapies.

Methods

A Health Technology Assessment was conducted in Italy, as a multi-dimensional approach useful to validate any innovative technology. The HTA dimensions, derived from the EUnetHTA Core Model, were deployed by means of literature evidence, health economics tools and qualitative questionnaires, filled-in by 15 professionals.

Results

Literature stated that the GA introduction could lead to a higher number of individuals achieving therapeutic success after 3 months of therapy (97.0% vs 71.6% without GA). From an economic point of view, considering a projection of 1,955,447 T2DM insulin-naïve individuals, potentially treated with oral therapy, GA introduction would imply fewer individuals requiring a therapy switch (−89.44%), with a 1.06% in costs reduction, on annual basis, thus being also the preferable solution from a cost-effectiveness perspective (cost-effectiveness value: 237.74 vs 325.53). According to experts opinions, lower perceptions on GA emerged with regard to equity aspects (0.13 vs 0.72, p-value>0.05), whereas it would improve both individuals (2.17 vs 1.33, p-value=0.000) and caregivers quality of life (1.50 vs 0.83, p-value=0.000). Even if in the short term, GA required additional investments in training courses (−0.80 vs 0.10, p-value = 0.036), in the long run, GA could become the preferable technology (0.30 vs 0.01, p-value=0.018) from an organisational perspective.

Conclusion

Adding GA to traditional glycaemic control instruments could improve the clinical pathway of individuals with T2DM, leading to economic and organisational advantages for both hospitals and National Healthcare Systems.

Potential Markers of Dietary Glycemic Exposures for Sustained Dietary Interventions in Populations without Diabetes

There is considerable interest in dietary and other approaches to maintaining blood glucose concentrations within the normal range and minimizing exposure to postprandial hyperglycemic excursions. The accepted marker to evaluate the sustained maintenance of normal blood glucose concentrations is glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). However, although this is used in clinical practice to monitor glycemic control in patients with diabetes, it has a number of drawbacks as a marker of efficacy of dietary interventions that might beneficially affect glycemic control in people without diabetes. Other markers that reflect shorter-term glycemic exposures have been studied and proposed, but consensus on the use and relevance of these markers is lacking. We have carried out a systematic search for studies that have tested the responsiveness of 6 possible alternatives to HbA1c as markers of sustained variation in glycemic exposures and thus their potential applicability for use in dietary intervention trials in subjects without diabetes: 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG), dicarbonyl stress, fructosamine, glycated albumin (GA), advanced glycated end products (AGEs), and metabolomic profiles. The results suggest that GA may be the most promising for this purpose, but values may be confounded by effects of fat mass. 1,5-AG and fructosamine are probably not sensitive enough to the range of variation in glycemic exposures observed in healthy individuals. Use of measures based on dicarbonyls, AGEs, or metabolomic profiles would require further research into possible specific molecular species of interest. At present, none of the markers considered here is sufficiently validated and sensitive for routine use in substantiating the effects of sustained variation in dietary glycemic exposures in people without diabetes.

Glycated albumin as a glycaemic marker in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease and anaemia: a preliminary report

Background: The association between glycated albumin (GA) and glycaemic status has not been fully described in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) in relation to anaemia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between GA and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and HbA1c in patients with advanced CKD and to evaluate the influence of anaemia in such relationship. Materials and methods: Patients with CKD stage 4 or 5 were included in the study. eGFR was calculated by the CKD-EPI creatinine equation. Plasma GA was measured by an enzymatic method. Results: Eighty-one patients were included in the study, 46 (57%) were males; the mean age was 67 ± 14 years. HbA1c was correlated with Hb (r = 0.39; p = .0003), and no significant correlation was detected between plasma GA and serum albumin (p = .82). A significant association between FPG and GA (r² = 0.41; p < .0001), and between FPG and HbA1c (r² = 0.42; p < .0001) was detected in the whole study population. Patients with moderate/severe anaemia had lower HbA1c than patients with no anaemia, while both FPG and GA were comparable between the two groups. Multivariate regression analysis showed that GA was a significant predictor of FPG in patients with moderate/severe anaemia while HbA1c did not (r² = 0.55; p < .0001 for the model). Conclusions: GA, alone or in combination with other biomarkers, can be considered for the evaluation of glycaemic status in patients with advanced CKD and severe anaemia.

Lower Extremity Necrotizing Fasciitis in Diabetic and Nondiabetic Patients: Mortality and Amputation

Lower extremity necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a severe infection requiring immediate surgery. The aim of this study was to assess patient factors predictive of amputation and mortality in diabetes mellitus (DM) and non-DM patients with lower extremity NF. The American College of Surgeons-National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database was reviewed retrospectively. Out of 674 patients with lower extremity NF, 387 had DM (57.4%). Patients with DM had lower mortality ( P = .004). Increased mortality was independently associated with age >60 years (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 3.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.69-9.77), partial thromboplastin time >38 seconds (aOR = 2.66, 95% CI = 1.09-6.62), albumin <2.0 mg/dL (aOR = 2.84, 95% CI = 1.13-7.37), coagulopathy (aOR = 3.29, 95% CI = 1.24-9.19), higher anesthesia risk category (aOR = 3.08, 95% CI = 1.18, 8.59), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (aOR = 3.46, 95% CI = 1.13-10.9), postoperative acute respiratory distress syndrome (aOR = 5.24, 95% CI = 2.04-14.4), and postoperative septic shock (aOR = 5.14, 95% CI = 1.94-14.1). Amputation was independently associated with DM (aOR = 4.35, 95% CI = 2.63-7.35) but not mortality. Although DM was associated with more amputations for lower extremity NF, patients with DM had lower mortality than non-DM patients in the bivariate analysis. Further research is needed to investigate outcomes among DM and non-DM patients in the context of lower extremity NF.

Glycated albumin and the risk of chronic kidney disease in subjects with Type 2 Diabetes: A study in North Indian Population

AIM

Glycated albumin (GA) suggested being alternative glycemic marker than haemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) in patients with chronic kidney diseases (CKD). We investigated the association between GA and the progression of diabetic nephropathy (DN) in T2DM subjects.

METHODS

We recruited T2DM subjects with different stages of CKD who had regularly measured serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR) according to Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (KDOQI) guidelines, HbA1c consecutively every 3 months along with GA levels and other anthropometric and demographic measurements. We grouped age and sex matched subjects into the CKD progression, Group I healthy subjects (n = 100, M: F;50:50). Group II T2DM subjects with eGFR ≥90 mL/min (n = 167, M:F; 76:91). Group III of T2DM patients with eGFR 60-89 mL/min (n = 91, M:F; 44:47). Group IV T2DM subjects with eGFR 30-59 mL/min (n = 68, M:F;31:37). Group V T2DM with eGFR ≤ 29 mL/min (n = 21, M:F; 13:8).

RESULTS

Pearson's correlation analysis between glycated albumin and biochemical parameters were established in all subjects. GA/HbA1c ratio increases with poor glycemic control except for nephrosis state.

CONCLUSION

Mean GA levels were more closely associated with DN progression than mean HbA1c in subjects with T2DM and can be implemented as an alternative diagnostic marker in nephropathy.

Glycated albumin in chronic kidney disease: Pathophysiologic connections

Nephropathy in diabetes patients is the most common etiology of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Strict glycemic control reduces the development and progression of diabetes-related complications, and there is evidence that improved metabolic control improves outcomes in subjects having diabetes mellitus with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD). Glycemic control in people with kidney disease is complex. Changes in glucose and insulin homoeostasis may occur as a consequence of loss of kidney function and dialysis. The reliability of measures of long-term glycemic control is affected by CKD and the accuracy of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) in the setting of CKD and ESKD is questioned. Despite the altered character of diabetes in CKD, current guidelines for diabetes management are not specifically adjusted for this patient group. The validity of indicators of long-term glycemic control has been the focus of increased recent research. This review discusses the current understanding of commonly used indicators of metabolic control (HbA1c, fructosamine, glycated albumin) in the setting of advanced CKD.

Glycated albumin is superior to glycated hemoglobin for glycemic control assessment at an early stage of diabetes treatment: A multicenter, prospective study

AIMS

This study was to determine whether serum glycated albumin (GA) was a better indicator of glycemic control than hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) when starting a new treatment regimen for type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

Newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients, or patients who had poor glycemic control with oral hypoglycemic agents, were enrolled at 10 hospitals in Beijing. Serum GA, HbA1c, fasting blood glucose (FBG), and C-peptide were assayed on Days 0, 14, 28, and 91 after treatment.

RESULTS

Four hundred ninety-nine patients were enrolled. Mean FBG, GA and HbA1c decreased significantly in patients at Days 14, 28, and 91. In patients with improved glycemic control, the reduction of GA and HbA1c levels was 10.5±13.3% vs. 5.1±5.4% on Day 14, 16.0±13.4% vs. 9.0±7.0% on Day 28, and 18.0±16.7% vs. 18.3±9.4% on Day 91, respectively, compared with baseline values. Changes in GA on Day 14, 28 and 91 were all closely correlated with changes in HbA1c on Day 91. Change in GA on Day 14 was correlated with treatment effectiveness evaluated by HbA1c on Day 91.

CONCLUSIONS

GA may be a useful marker for assessing glycemic control at an early stage of new diabetes treatment and assist in guiding adjustments to treatment and therapy.

Advantages and pitfalls of fructosamine and glycated albumin in the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes

The efficient diagnosis and accurate monitoring of diabetic patients are cornerstones for reducing the risk of diabetic complications. The current diagnostic and prognostic strategies in diabetes are mainly based on two tests, plasma (or capillary) glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Nevertheless, these measures are not foolproof, and their clinical usefulness is biased by a number of clinical and analytical factors. The introduction of other indices of glucose homeostasis in clinical practice such as fructosamine and glycated albumin (GA) may be regarded as an attractive alternative, especially in patients in whom the measurement of HbA1c may be biased or even unreliable. These include patients with rapid changes of glucose homeostasis and larger glycemic excursions, and patients with red blood cell disorders and renal disease. According to available evidence, the overall diagnostic efficiency of GA seems superior to that of fructosamine throughout a broad range of clinical settings. The current method for measuring GA is also better standardized and less vulnerable to preanalytical variables than those used for assessing fructosamine. Additional advantages of GA over HbA1c are represented by lower reagent cost and being able to automate the GA analysis on many conventional laboratory instruments. Although further studies are needed to definitely establish that GA can complement or even replace conventional measures of glycemic control such as HbA1c, GA may help the clinical management of patients with diabetes in whom HbA1c values might be unreliable.

Optimal glycated albumin cutoff value to diagnose diabetes in Korean adults: a retrospective study based on the oral glucose tolerance test

INTRODUCTION

Glycated albumin (GA) reflects short-term status of glycemic control. We suggest a GA cut-off value to diagnose pre-diabetes and diabetes in Korean adults. In addition, we compared the performance of GA for the diagnosis of diabetes with that of glycated hemoglobin (A1c).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 852 subjects (498 males, 354 females) aged 20 to 83years (mean: 52.5years) were enrolled. A 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed and A1c and GA were measured.

RESULTS

In these enrolled subjects, 88% have glucose intolerance status (pre-diabetes or diabetes). The GA concentrations corresponding to fasting plasma glucose (FPG) of 7.0mmol/l, 2-h plasma glucose during OGTT (PPG2)≥11.1mmol/l, and A1c≥6.5% were 14.6%, 13.7%, and 14.7%, respectively. A meta-analysis of three GA cutoffs revealed a GA cutoff for diabetes of 14.3%. When A1c is used in combination with FPG, the sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of OGTT-based diabetes were 72.16% (95% CI: 66.6-72.2) and 96.4% (95% CI: 94.4-97.7), respectively. With the newly developed GA cutoff of 14.3%, GA combined with FPG resulted in a sensitivity and specificity of 77.5% (95% CI: 72.17-82.0) and 89.9% (95% CI: 87.1-92.2), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

A GA cutoff of >14.3% is optimal for the diagnosis of diabetes in Korean adults. The measurement of FPG and GA may detect diabetes earlier than the measurement of FPG and A1c.

The relationship between BMI and glycated albumin to glycated hemoglobin (GA/A1c) ratio according to glucose tolerance status

Glycated albumin to glycated hemoglobin (GA/A1c) ratio is known to be inversely related with body mass index (BMI) and insulin secretory capacity. However, the reasons for this association remain unknown. We aimed to investigate whether BMI directly or indirectly influences GA/A1c by exerting effects on insulin secretion or resistance and to confirm whether these associations differ according to glucose tolerance status. We analyzed a total of 807 subjects [242 drug-naïve type 2 diabetes (T2D), 378 prediabetes, and 187 normal glucose tolerance (NGT)]. To assess the direct and indirect effects of BMI on GA/A1c ratio, structural equation modeling (SEM) was performed. GA/A1c ratio was set as a dependent variable, BMI was used as the independent variable, and homeostasis model assessment-pancreatic beta-cell function (HOMA-β), homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), glucose level were used as mediator variables. The estimates of a direct effect of BMI on GA/A1c to be the strongest in NGT and weakest in T2D (−0.375 in NGT, −0.244 in prediabetes, and −0.189 in T2D). Conversely, the indirect effect of BMI on GA/A1c exerted through HOMA-β and HOMA-IR was not statistically significant in NGT group, but significant in prediabetes and T2D groups (0.089 in prediabetes, −0.003 in T2D). It was found that HOMA-β or HOMA-IR indirectly influences GA/A1c in T2D and prediabetes group through affecting fasting and postprandial glucose level. The relationship between GA/A1c and BMI is due to the direct effect of BMI on GA/A1c in NGT group, while in T2D and prediabetes groups, this association is mostly a result of BMI influencing blood glucose through insulin resistance or secretion.

The roles of glycated albumin as intermediate glycation index and pathogenic protein

The conventional glycemic indices used in management of diabetic patients includes A1c, fructosamine, 1,5-anhydroglucitol, and glycated albumin (GA). Among these indices, A1c is currently used as the gold standard. However, A1c cannot reflect the glycemic change over a relatively short period of time, and its accuracy is known to decrease when abnormalities in hemoglobin metabolism, such as anemia, coexist. When considering these weaknesses, there have been needs for finding a novel glycemic index for diagnosing and managing diabetes, as well as for predicting diabetic complications properly. Recently, several studies have suggested the potential of GA as an intermediate-term glycation index in covering the short-term effect of treatment. Furthermore, its role as a pathogenic protein affecting the worsening of diabetes and occurrence of diabetic complications is receiving attention as well. Therefore, in this article, we wanted to review the recent status of GA as a glycemic index and as a pathogenic protein.