Rapid changes of glycosylated hemoglobin in diabetics submitted to artificial pancreas control

This study was performed in order to investigate the possibility of rapid changes in glycosylated hemoglobin levels. Hb A1(a + b + c) values were evaluated by a chromatographic Column Test (Bio-Rad) in 20 insulin-dependent diabetic patients before and after 48 h of glycemic control obtained by an artificial pancreas (Biostator Miles). A significant decrease of glycosylated hemoglobin levels was observed: from 11.21 +/- 2.8% to 9.89 +/- 2.15% of total hemoglobin content (p less than 0.005). Our data bring to the conclusion that rapid changes of glycosylated hemoglobin partially reduce, but do not abolish the clinical significance of Hb A1 determination as a reliable index of long-term glycemic control in diabetic patients.