Background
Diabetes is a chronic disease of global significance. In this study, we have evaluated glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) as
an index for diabetes management in Sokoto, Nigeria.
Methods
This case control study included 80 diabetic subjects out of which 56 males and 24 females of age group 25-60 years with
mean age of 50.4 ± 13.5 years and 20 age and gender matched controls. EDTA anticoagulated blood was used for the
screening of the subjects and control participants for glycated haemoglobin using ion exchange chromatography
technique.
Results
The mean glycated haemoglobin level was significantly higher among diabetic subjects compared to non-diabetic controls
(8.41 ± 1.15 versus 5.04 ± 0.49, p=0.001) as shown in table 1. Table 2 show the glycated haemoglobin level among
diabetic subjects based on gender. The mean glycated haemoglobin level among diabetic male and female subjects was
8.40 ± 1.27 and 8.41 ± 0.87 respectively. There was no statistically significant differences between the glycated
haemoglobin levels of subjects based on gender (p=0.977). Table 3 show the level of glycaemic control achieved by
diabetic subjects. Results indicates that 30 (37.5%) of subjects had glycated haemoglobin between 8-9%, 29(36.3%) had
glycated haemoglobin of 9-10% while 21 (26.3%) had glycated haemoglobin >10%. Table 4 shows the level of glycaemic
control achieved by diabetic subjects based on gender. Evidence of good diabetic control (8-9%) was higher among male
compared to female subjects (42.6% versus 34.6%). Females had a fair diabetic control defined as glycated haemoglobin
level of 9-10% compared to males (33.3% versus 38.5%). Evidence of poor diabetic control (>10 %) was higher among
females compared to male diabetics (24.1% versus 26.9%).
Conclusions
This study has shown that the measurement of glycated haemoglobin levels is an important index in the diagnosis and
monitoring of diabetes patients. There is need for universal access to quality diabetic treatment and laboratory
monitoring to minimize disease –related complications. There is also the need to build the capacity of health care
professionals responsible for the management of diabetic patients in Nigeria. This can be achieved by providing
continuing education on diabetes management to enable them provide a continually improving evidence-based quality
service to their patients.