Bacon G E, Ladu C, Shein H E, Rucknagel D L
J Adolesc Health Care. 1986 May;7(3):187-90. doi: 10.1016/s0197-0070(86)80037-7.
Serial glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1) concentrations were measured in 146 children and young adults with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. The HbA1 results were made available to the physicians and patients of group A but they were withheld from group B for 12-16 months. The groups were then alternated for an equal time period, with group A being blinded and group B unblinded. When the patients were further subdivided into those with initial HbA1 levels above or below the group mean (12.7%), it was found that the metabolic control of subjects with high HbA1 concentrations tended to improve when the values were made available and to remain unchanged when the results were withheld. Knowledge of HbA1 concentrations by physician and patient/parent appears to be beneficial in patients with relatively poor control. In contrast, no improvement was noted in patients with initial HbA1 less than 12.7% whether or not the results were available to the physician and patient/parent.
