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Glycosylated hemoglobin concentration for assessment of glycemic control in diabetic cats
D A Elliott1, R W Nelson, E C Feldman
1Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, University of California, Davis, USA.
Insights
Blood glycosylated hemoglobin (GHb) is a useful indicator for monitoring feline diabetes mellitus. This study found GHb levels were higher in diabetic cats and decreased with effective treatment, suggesting its clinical utility.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Endocrinology
- Clinical Pathology
Background:
- Feline diabetes mellitus is a common endocrine disorder.
- Accurate monitoring of glycemic control is crucial for effective management of diabetes in cats.
- Glycosylated hemoglobin (GHb) reflects long-term glycemic control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical utility of blood glycosylated hemoglobin (GHb) concentration for monitoring glycemic control in cats.
- To compare GHb levels in healthy, hyperglycemic, and diabetic cats.
- To assess the changes in GHb levels in response to diabetes treatment.
Main Methods:
- Quantification of blood GHb concentration using an affinity chromatography assay.
- Inclusion of healthy cats, cats with stress-induced hyperglycemia, newly diagnosed diabetic cats, and treated diabetic cats.
- Classification of diabetic control as good or poor based on clinical parameters and blood glucose measurements.
Main Results:
- Mean blood GHb concentration was significantly higher in untreated diabetic cats compared to healthy cats.
- Poorly controlled diabetic cats had significantly higher GHb levels than well-controlled diabetic cats.
- Blood GHb concentration decreased significantly following insulin and dietary treatment, or improved glycemic control.
Conclusions:
- Blood glycosylated hemoglobin (GHb) concentration is a clinically useful tool for assessing long-term glycemic control in cats.
- GHb levels correlate with the degree of glycemic control in diabetic cats.
- Monitoring GHb can aid in optimizing diabetes management strategies for feline patients.
Abstract:
Blood glycosylated hemoglobin (GHb) concentration was quantified in 84 healthy cats, 9 cats with stress-induced hyperglycemia, 37 cats with newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus, and 122 diabetic cats treated with insulin or glipizide. Diabetic control was classified as good or poor in insulin-treated or glipizide-treated cats based on review of history, physical examination findings, changes in body weight, and measurement of blood glucose concentrations. Blood GHb concentration was determined using an affinity chromatography assay. Mean blood GHb concentration was similar for healthy normoglycemic cats and cats with transient, stress-induced hyperglycemia, but was significantly (P < .001) higher in untreated diabetic cats when compared with healthy normoglycemic cats. Mean blood GHb concentration was significantly (P < .001) higher in 84 cats with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus when compared with 38 cats in which the disease was well controlled. Mean blood GHb concentration decreased significantly (P < .01) in 6 cats with untreated diabetes mellitus after insulin and dietary treatment. A similar significant (P < .01) decrease in mean blood GHb concentration occurred in 7 cats with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus after diabetic control was improved by an increase in insulin dosage from 1.1 +/- 0.9 to 1.4 +/- 0.6 U/kg/ 24 h and by feeding a diet containing increased fiber content and in 6 cats with transient diabetes mellitus 8.2 +/- 0.6 weeks after discontinuing insulin treatment. There was a significant (P < .01) stress-induced increase in mean fasting blood glucose concentration and mean blood glucose concentration for 12 hours after administration of insulin or glipizide but no change in mean blood GHb concentration in 5 docile diabetic cats 12.2 +/- 0.4 weeks after the cats became fractious as a result of frequent hospitalizations and blood samplings. Results of this study suggest that evaluation of blood GHb concentration may be a clinically useful tool for monitoring glycemic control of diabetes in cats.