Haemoglobin A1 (HbA1) determination in Nigerian diabetics

Haemoglobin A1 (HbA1) levels were measured in diabetic Nigerians using the cation exchange micro-column chromatographic technique. The HbA1 values confirmed the potential usefulness of this method as a tool for assessing the degree of metabolic control in diabetics. It was found to be both simple to perform and potentially cost-effective. However, the low accuracy and poor reproducibility of the results obtained led to the conclusion that this method would appear not to be suitable for use in most tropical developing countries. The factors responsible for this finding were examined and discussed.