The role of glucosylated serum albumin in monitoring glycemic control in stable insulin-requiring diabetic out-patients.

To determine the value of glucosylated serum albumin (GSA) in assessing blood glucose control in stabilized diabetic out-patients, 15 insulin-requiring subjects were studied for 8-12 weeks. GSA was determined every 14 days, and glucosylated hemoglobin (GHb) was measured once or twice. Capillary blood glucose records were used to determine mean fasted and mean daily blood sugar concentrations (mean of fasted, preprandial, and bedtime values) during serial 7-day intervals preceding each GSA and GHb determination and also for 28-, 56-, and 84-day intervals preceding each GSA determination. GSA positively correlated with preceding weekly mean fasting and mean daily blood glucose concentrations for 1-11 weeks (r ranges, 0.40-0.64 and 0.46-0.64, respectively) without a temporal pattern. GSA positively correlated with mean fasted and daily blood sugar levels determined over the preceding 28, 56, and 84 days (r range, 0.54-0.74). In addition, GSA correlated with GHb when drawn within 14 days (r = 0.72) or 28 days (r = 0.65) of each other. When monitoring the glycemic control of stable insulin-requiring diabetic patients, GSA offers similar information to GHb, and the two tests may be used interchangeably.