Haemoglobin A1 levels in Nigerian diabetic patients using microcolumn affinity chromatography

Abstract

Haemoglobin A , (I l b A , ) levels were measured in forty-five diabetic Nigerians and thirteen non-diabetic controls using disposabl e micro column kits base d o n affinity chromatography . The effect on HbA j results of storage of whole blood samples for 1 week at room temperature and in a refrigerator was also evaluated . The mean ± s.d. of HbA | levels in diabetic patients and controls were 12.1 ± 5.6 % a n d 5.2 ± 0.90% respectively. T h e difference was highly significant. I* < O.CM ) 1 . Newly diagnosed diabetic patients who had not been on any treatment had significantly higher mean value of HhA| . 14.4 ± 5.0% . than old patients already on treatment. 9 . 5 ± 2.9% . I* < 0.01 . In a grou p of nine patients, the mean ± s.d . of baseline HbA | value was 10.3 ± 4.2 % a n d after 1 week storage of different portions of the samples at room temperature a n d in a refrigerator, the mean ± s.d. respectively were 9 . 8 ± 3.6 % and 11.0 ± 4.2% . There was thus a slight decrease on storage at room temperature and a slight increase during refrigeration but the observed differences were not statistically significant. It is concluded that the glyc-affinity micro-column chromatograpy is a satisfactory and potentially useful method for measuring IlbA ( levels in tropical developing countries. The method was easy to use and the assays could be run under average ambient room temperature without recourse to use of an air-conditioned room or a special chromatography chamber