[Glycosylated hemoglobin and diabetes mellitus]

Properly estimated glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is a good objective indicator of diabetic control over the previous eight weeks. It is essential to eliminate the labile fraction (pre-HbA1c). A valuable tool in diabetes research, prospectives studies using this index will permit clarification of the relationships between the complications of diabetes and chronic hyperglycemia. Glycosylation of hemoglobin is an example of a reaction secondary to hyperglycemia which can also occur with numerous circulating or tissue proteins. This may explain pathogenesis of some diabetic complications. Its value as a prognostic indicator depends critically upon methodology and this report summarises the current'state of the art in this respect.