The ratio of glycated albumin to glycated haemoglobin correlates with insulin secretory function

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Although glycated haemoglobin (A1c) levels are similar among patients with type 2 diabetes, the glycated albumin (GA)/A1c ratio varies considerably. On the basis of the hypothesis that endogenous insulin secretion might be correlated with the GA/A1c ratio, we investigated whether insulin secretory function or insulin resistance has different effects on the GA/A1c ratio in patients with type 2 diabetes using the standardized liquid meal test.

DESIGN: A clinical, retrospective study.

PATIENTS AND MEASUREMENTS: A total of 758 patients with type 2 diabetes ingested a standardized liquid meal (i.e. 500 kcal, 17·5 g fat, 68·5 g carbohydrate and 17·5 g protein). The subjects were divided into two groups: those with GA/A1c ratio <2·5 (n = 414) and those with GA/A1c ratio ≥2·5 (n = 344). We compared the A1c and GA levels, and the GA/A1c ratio and evaluated the relationships between the glycaemic indices and other parameters. Effects of β-cell function [homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-β), insulinogenic index (IGI)] and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) on the GA/A1c ratio were also examined.

RESULTS: The GA/A1c ratio was significantly correlated with HOMA-β, IGI and body mass index (BMI) but not with HOMA-IR. Furthermore, after adjusting for age, gender, BMI, haemoglobin and albumin levels, the GA/A1c ratio was still inversely correlated with both HOMA-β and IGI.

CONCLUSIONS: The GA/A1c ratio is significantly correlated with insulin secretory function but not with insulin resistance.