KUMJ | VOL. 21 | NO. 2 | ISSUE 82 | APRIL - JUNE, 2023
Discrepancies between Glycated Hemoglobin and Fasting Plasma Glucose in New-onset Diabetes Mellitus
Tamrakar R, Tamrakar D, Katwal P
Abstract: Background
Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) are commonly used
for diagnosing diabetes mellitus in Nepal. Though HbA1c criteria are convenient for
diagnosis there is a discrepancy between the fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c for
diagnosis.
Objective
To assess the comparability between fasting plasma glucose and glycated hemoglobin
levels in the new-onset diabetes mellitus.
Method
This is a hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study including 128 newly
diagnosed diabetes mellitus conducted at Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University
Hospital. New onset diabetes patients above 18 years of age who met inclusion
criteria were included. The clinical characteristics and biochemical parameters
were analyzed. Statistical analysis was done using student’s t-test and correlation
coefficient.
Result
There were 128 newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus patients included in the study
among which 57.0% were males with a mean age of 49.48±11.40 years. The mean
fasting plasma glucose, postprandial sugar (PPBS), and glycated hemoglobin were
205.54±88.93 mg/dL, 331.08±146.61 mg/dL, and 9.59±2.70% respectively. Diabetes
was diagnosed using fasting plasma glucose, and glycated hemoglobin criteria in
84.4% and 90.6% of patients. In new-onset diabetic patients, 76.56% of patients
had both elevated levels of fasting plasma glucose and glycated hemoglobin. Of the
diabetic patients who had fasting plasma glucose ≥126 mg/dL, 90.7% of patients had
HbA1c ≥ 6.5% whereas 1.6% of new-onset diabetes had < 126 mg/dL and glycated
hemoglobin < 6.5%. There was a strong correlation between fasting plasma glucose
and glycated hemoglobin (r=0.723; p<0.01).
Conclusion
Both fasting plasma glucose and glycated hemoglobin tests have to be used together
for diagnosing diabetes mellitus.
Keyword : Blood glucose, Diabetes mellitus, Glycated hemoglobin
