Age-adjusted glycated albumin: a more robust parameter to establish glycaemic control in neonatal diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Background: We previously reported that glycated albumin (GA) levels increased in an age-dependent manner in infancy. In order to determine whether this phenomenon is true from infancy to adulthood, we investigated the GA levels in non-diabetic subjects of a wide range of age.

Methods: GA levels of 376 non-diabetic subjects [average age, 31.8 ± 23.8 years (4 days-78 years)] were determined. A relationship between GA and logarithmically transformed age [log(age)] was analysed.

Results: GA levels were significantly positively correlated with log(age) [R = 0.865, P < 0.0001, GA = 1.77 × log(day) + 6.55]. Based on a regression line, we established the formula for adjusting GA levels according to age.

Conclusion: We showed that GA increases with age from infancy to adulthood and that normal GA levels are demonstrated as a simple regression formula with log(age). This formula allowing us to use the adult reference range has the potential for treatment monitoring of diabetic patients regardless of age.

Keywords: Neonatal diabetes mellitus; glycaemic control; glycated albumin.