Diabetic control in community care. The use of clinical evaluation and hemoglobin A1

Diabetic control was evaluated in 50 consecutive patients attending a community care centre, either by clinical criteria or by determination of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1). Two methods used for the determination of HbA1 were found to give similar results, namely ion exchange chromatography and agar gel electrophoresis. On a group basis, good correlation was observed between HbA1 samples analysed prior to and following the elimination of the labile HbA1 fraction. When comparing three treatment modes (diet alone, hypoglycemic agents or insulin), no significant differences in HbA1 levels were noted. Patients considered to have satisfactory and poor control had significantly higher HbA1 levels than those considered to have good control, while no differences were seen between those considered to have satisfactory or poor control. It is concluded that the methods described for the determination of HbA1 yield similar results. Clinical evaluation of diabetic control is reliable in patients classified to have good or poor control. However, in many patients who are considered to have satisfactory control, regular determinations of HbA1 provide valuable additional information.