Background/Aims:There is clinical and research value in a marker reflective of glycaemic control over the previous 2-3 weeks. Glycated albumin is one such potential marker. To determine the ability of glycated albumin in the initial identification of impaired glucose tolerance we assessed glycated albumin against other glycaemic values and markers of health status in a population of normoglycaemic young adults.
Methods: 84 young adults of normal glucose tolerance underwent a 2-hr 50g oral glucose tolerance test. Glycated albumin values were correlated against fasted (FPG) and 2h post load plasma glucose measures (2hPG), incremental area under the curve (iAUC), glycaemic range, body mass index (BMI) and C-reactive protein (CRP).
Results: When adjusted for age and sex, glycated albumin was inversely correlated with BMI (r=-0.25, p=0.03). No significant correlations existed for glycated albumin and postprandial measures of glycaemia. BMI and CRP values correlated in this population (r=0.30, p<0.01) as has been reported previously.
Conclusion: Glycated albumin was not associated with postprandial markers in a population of normal glucose tolerant young adults. Further research is required to determine its potential in identifying impaired glucose tolerance.
Funding Source: The New Zealand Artificial Limbs Service.