Behaviour of Fetal Haemoglobin and Its Correlation to Haemoglobin A1c Levels in Sudanese Adult Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus Patients

Aims: To estimate the fetal haemoglobin (HbF) in diabetes mellitus patients and its correlation to haemoglobin A1c levels as it is one of the effective diagnostic tools used in monitoring of diabetic patients.

Study Design: Analytical, laboratory, hospital-based, cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out during the period March-June 2013. In Dreby Diabetic Centre, Khartoum, Khartoum State.

Methodology: A total of 150 samples were obtained; 50 insulin dependent diabetic patients, 50 non-insulin-treated diabetic patients and 50 control subjects with the same age and sex distribution. Hb A1c was estimated by ion exchange method and HbF was estimated by alkaline denaturation methods.

Results: Results showed significant increase in HbF and HbA1c in insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM) in comparison to normal control (p<0.05). Strong positive correlation between the Hb F level and duration of treatment per year, (R 0.961) and weak negative correlation between Hb F level and Hb Alc in IDDM (R -0.436). Strong negative correlation between Hb F level and Hb Alc according to duration of insulin treatment in IDDM, (R-0.964, R2 0.929, p<0.05). There was weak negative correlation between Hb F level and Hb Alc according to age in IDDM, (R 0.580, R2 0.337, p<0.05).

Conclusion: It is noted in this study, the high level of HbF accompanied by a decreases in Hb A1c level, thus HbF must be considered when A1C measured by ion exchange method and when comparing it with other measures of glycaemic control.