Sensitivity of serum fructosamine in short term glycemic control

The serum fructosamine concentrations measured in 64 diabetic patients correlated (r = 0.73) with glycated hemoglobins (HbA1c). However, 23 percent of the diabetic patients had normal fructosamine and abnormal HbA1c levels. In order to determine whether or not the discrepant values were the result of recent glycemic regulation by the diabetic patient, fructosamine levels of patients suffering from diabetic ketoacidosis (along with beta-hydroxybutyrate levels) were closely monitored. It was shown that short term alterations (one to three days) in serum glucose did not significantly affect fructosamine levels. Therefore, disagreements between fructosamine and HbA1c are most likely due to longer term improvement in glucose control by the diabetic or the result of the higher imprecision of the HbA1c assay.