Lucica GA-L glycated albumin assay kit: a new diagnostic test for diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes mellitus is a worldwide healthcare issue, with the number of diabetic patients continuing to increase. Strict control of plasma glucose levels is critical in order to avoid the potentially severe complications of diabetes, making tests for monitoring of glycemic control essential in the management of the disease. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)) measurement is currently the most commonly used test to monitor glycemic control in patients with diabetes. Based on the results of the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT), an HbA(1c) level of <7% has been recommended to prevent the onset and progression of chronic diabetic complications. However, HbA(1c) may not be suitable for evaluating short-term variations in glycemic control, because of the long lifespan of erythrocytes (120 days). Glycated albumin (GA) is an indicator of diabetes that is more sensitive to change in plasma glucose than HbA(1c). Lucica GA-L is a new diagnostic test for measuring GA. The test is based on an enzymatic method that uses liquid reagents requiring no preparation. Measuring the GA level should provide useful information on glycemic control when monitoring effects of therapy for patients with gestational diabetes, unstable plasma glucose levels, variant hemoglobins or diseases that shorten the lifespan of erythrocytes.