The use of glycosylated haemoglobin measurements in the control of the diabetic patient.

Glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) has recently been used as an indicator of long-term diabetic control. This study compares the efficacy of HbA1c measurements and postprandial blood glucose estimations in assessing diabetic control in 51 diabetic patients. It was found that the HbA1c levels reflected overall diabetic control significantly better than did a single postprandial blood glucose estimation. HbA1c measurements give considerable aid in the assessment of the longitudinal blood sugar control in the diabetic, and may be a useful indicator of the efficacy of diabetic treatment.