[Routine control of type 2 diabetes. Are glycosylated hemoglobin and fructosamine measurements necessary?].

In 98 type 2-diabetics with stable fasting blood glucose who were treated by tablets and/or diet, fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin A1c and serum fructosamine were measured simultaneously. Fasting blood glucose was defined as stable when all values were less than 7.1 mmol/l, or deviated by less than 20% in at least three months, and the treatment had not been changed during the last six months. There is satisfactory correlation between fasting blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (r = 0.64), and serum fructosamine (r = 0.63). It is concluded that glycosylated hemoglobin and fructosamine are superfluous in routine controls of such patients. When fasting blood glucose is unsuitable for practical reasons, fructosamine is a good and cheap alternative. In annual controls glycosylated hemoglobin is the best parameter, and reflects the longest period of metabolic control.