Value of fasting blood glucose and serum fructosamine as a measure of diabetic control in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

The predictive values of fasting blood glucose and serum fructosamine for monitoring longterm diabetic control were investigated in 98 non-insulin dependent diabetic patients. The HbA1c percentage was taken as standard in this study. Despite a significant correlation, the predictive values of the parameters studied for an acceptable HbA1c-value appeared to be low (37% and 44% respectively), possibly due to differences in periods of time in which these parameters can change during variable metabolic control. In addition, the serum fructosamine value may vary due to variations in serum albumin and lipid content. It is concluded that the fasting blood glucose and serum fructosamine values cannot replace HbA1c measurement for monitoring diabetic control, but are additional for assessment of this control over short-and longterm periods of time.