1. The level of hemoglobin Alc (Hb Alc) has been known to increase in the blood of patients with diabetes mellitus. The sugar in the blood reacts with Hb A to form irreversible Hb Alc.
Hb Alc level in blood, therefore, has been considered to represent the sum of blood sugar level in recent decades, Cosistent and replicabel measurement of Hb Alc is now possible with High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).
This study is conducted to evaluate applicability of the Hb Alc measurement by HPLC as a screening test for diabetes mellitus.
2. Total of 2,818 examines undertaken their physical checkups during a period form July to December in 1991 at the Clinics of the Korea Association of Health. Were screened for the diabetes mellitus by measuring Hb Alc and fasting blood sugar
levels.
Screening criteria was based on the Guide of Korean Diabetes Association.
3. The results obtained were as follows:
1) The prevalence of Screening strong positivity was 4.0% showing the highest rate of8.4% in 60~69 age group. Sex ratio of positivity in male to femlae was 1.72 to 1.
2) In the screening weak positive tolerance group. mean FBS level and Hb Alc were 126±6.5㎎/dl and 6.6±1.1%, respectively, The correlation between the 2 variables was statistically significant (p<0.01).
3) In strong positive group mean FBS level and Hb Alc were 205±56.2㎎/dl and 9.6±2.0, respectively, The correlation between the 2 variables wee also statisticaly significant (p<0.01).
4) Sensitivity of Hb Alc levels as measured by HPLC was 37.7% in the weak positive tolerance group, and 97.1% in the strong positive group, The specificity of Hb Alc level was. 98.7%.
5) These results indicate that the Hb Alc measured by HPLC is a effective method in screening diabetes mellitus when tested along with FBS.
|