妊娠期糖尿病孕妇分娩前糖化血红蛋白与新生儿血糖及出生体重的相关性分析

目的探讨妊娠期糖尿病(GDM)孕妇分娩前糖化血红蛋白(HbA1c)与新生儿血糖及出生体重的相关性。方法选取2018年9月至2020年12月于西南医科大学附属医院分娩的178例GDM孕妇及其新生儿作为研究对象。以分娩前1周内的HbA1c反映GDM孕妇分娩前2~3个月的血糖控制水平,将GDM孕妇分为HbA1c≥6%组(45例)和HbA1c<6%组(133例)。收集新生儿出生体重及出生后早期血糖值作为结局指标。采用Pearson相关分析和Spearman偏相关分析法分析孕妇分娩前HbA1c与新生儿初始血糖的线性相关性,采用多元线性回归模型分析分娩前HbA1c水平与新生儿出生体重的相关性。采用多元logistic回归分析法分析新生儿低血糖和大于胎龄儿(LGA)的发生风险。结果与分娩前HbA1c≥6%组相比,HbA1c<6%组GDM孕妇的新生儿初始血糖更高[分别为(3.5±1.4)和(2.8±1.3)mmol/L,t=2.85,P<0.01]。Pearson相关分析显示,分娩前HbA1c与新生儿初始血糖呈负相关(r=-0.25,P<0.001);采用Spearman偏相关分析控制混杂因素,该负相关关系仍然存在(r=-0.27,P<0.001)。多元线性回归分析结果显示,在排除胎龄等因素的影响后,分娩前HbA1c每降低0.1%,新生儿的出生体重减少24 g(β=24,95%CI 16~33,P<0.001)。将HbA1c以连续变量进入logistic回归模型,调整相关混杂因素后,GDM孕妇分娩前HbA1c每降低0.1%,其新生儿的低血糖发生风险降低12%(OR=0.88,95%CI 0.82~0.95,P<0.001),LGA的发生风险降低8%(OR=0.92,95%CI 0.87~0.97,P<0.01)。将HbA1c以二分类变量进入多元logistic回归模型并调整相关混杂因素,与分娩前HbA1c≥6%组的GDM孕妇相比较,分娩前HbA1c<6%组的GDM孕妇,其子代新生儿低血糖(OR=0.23,95%CI 0.09~0.59)及LGA(OR=0.30,95%CI 0.12~0.71)的发生风险均降低,差异具有统计学意义(均P<0.01)。结论GDM孕妇分娩前HbA1c与新生儿血糖及出生体重相关,良好的血糖控制能显著降低新生儿低血糖及LGA的发生率。     

Is maternal weight gain between pregnancies associated with risk of large-for-gestational age birth? Analysis of a UK population-based cohort

Background

Maternal obesity during pregnancy increases the risk of large-for-gestational age (LGA) infant and childhood obesity. We aimed to investigate the association between maternal weight change between consecutive pregnancies and risk of having a LGA baby.

Can plasma glucose and HbA1c predict fetal growth in mothers with different glucose tolerance levels?

To assess whether HbA1c and plasma glucose predicts abnormal fetal growth, 758 pregnant women attending 5 Diabetic Centers were screened for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). On glucose challenge (GCT) at 24-27 weeks of gestation (g.w.), negative cases formed the normal control group (N1). Positive cases took an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT): those found negative were classed as false positives screening test (N2); if they had an OGTT result at least as high as their normal glucose levels, they were classed as having one abnormal glucose value (OAV) at OGTT; two values as GDM. HbA1c was assayed on the day of GCT. We considered fetal macrosomia, large for gestational age (LGA), ponderal index and mean growth percentile. Mean age, pre-pregnancy BMI, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and HbA1c were progressively higher from N1 to GDM patients. The newborn of N2 mothers were heavier than those with N1 or GDM. The mean growth percentile was significantly higher in N2 than in N1. More LGA babies were born to OAV than to N1 or N2 women. Macrosomia and ponderal index did not differ significantly in the four groups. At logistic regression only plasma glucose at GCT could predict LGA babies and a ponderal index above 2.85. At risk analysis, GDM and OAV significantly predicted LGA babies, and GDM a ponderal index >2.85. In conclusion, FPG at GCT could predict fetal overgrowth and plasma glucose >85mg/dl doubles the risk of LGA infants. HbA1c at 24-27g.w. does not predict fetal overgrowth. Mild alterations in glucose tolerance correlate with fetal overgrowth and needs monitoring and treatment.     

Effect of Maternal Factors and Fetomaternal Glucose Homeostasis on Birth Weight and Postnatal Growth

Objective:It is important to identify the possible risk factors for the occurrence of large for gestational age (LGA) in newborns and to determine the effect of birth weight and metabolic parameters on subsequent growth. We aimed to determine the effects of maternal weight, weight gain during pregnancy, maternal hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), C-peptide and insulin as well as cord C-peptide and insulin levels on birth weight and postnatal growth during the first two years of life.Methods:Healthy, non-diabetic mothers and term singleton newborns were included in this prospective case-control cohort study. Fasting maternal glucose, HbA1c, C-peptide and insulin levels were studied. Cord blood was analyzed for C-peptide and insulin. At birth, newborns were divided into two groups according to birth size: LGA and appropriate for GA (AGA). Infants were followed at six-month intervals for two years and their length and weight were recorded.Results: Forty LGA and 43 AGA infants were included in the study. Birth weight standard deviation score (SDS) was positively correlated with maternal body mass index (BMI) before delivery (r=0.2, p=0.04) and with weight gain during pregnancy (r=0.2, p=0.04). In multivariate analyses, the strongest association with macrosomia was a maternal C-peptide level >3.85 ng/mL (OR=20). Although the LGA group showed decreased growth by the 6-month of follow-up, the differences between the LGA and AGA groups in weight and length SDS persisted over the 2 years of follow-up.Conclusion: The control of maternal BMI and prevention of overt weight gain during pregnancy may prevent excessive birth weight. The effect of the in utero metabolic environment on the weight and length SDS of infants born LGA persists until at least two years of age.     

Relationship between neonatal birth weight and maternal plasma amino acid profiles in lean and obese nondiabetic women and in type I diabetic pregnant women

Profiles of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and concentrations of plasma glucose and 18 plasma amino acids were obtained in ten nonobese, insulin-dependent type I diabetic women, in 9 age- and weight-matched normal women and in ten obese nondiabetic women throughout pregnancy and postpartum. In late gestation, the period of maximum fetal growth, average HbA1c, plasma glucose, and total amino acid concentrations in diabetic mothers were significantly elevated above lean control values. No differences existed between the obese and lean control groups. Lean diabetic mothers also had significantly heavier babies (mean +/- SEM) relative to the 50th percentile for gestational age and sex (119 +/- 9%) than did the lean control group (94 +/- 3%, P less than .05). Relative birth weights among control lean and obese mothers did not differ significantly (94 +/- 3% v 104 +/- 5%). Late pregnancy profiles of HbA1c and average plasma glucose did not correlate with relative weight of neonates whereas average total plasma amino acids and six individual amino acids did correlate with this parameter. These data suggest that maternal plasma amino acid concentrations may influence fetal weight generally and may have an important role in the development of fetal macrosomia in diabetic pregnancies.     

Continuous glucose monitoring metrics and pregnancy outcomes in insulin-treated diabetes: A post-hoc analysis of the GlucoMOMS trial

Aim

To investigate the association between continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) metrics and perinatal outcomes in insulin-treated diabetes mellitus in pregnancy.

Materials and Methods

In a post-hoc analysis of the GlucoMOMS randomized controlled trial, we investigated the association between the metrics of an offline, intermittent CGM, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and perinatal outcomes per trimester in different types of diabetes (type 1, 2 or insulin-treated gestational diabetes mellitus [GDM]). Data were analysed using multivariable binary logistic regression. Outcomes of interest were neonatal hypoglycaemia, pre-eclampsia, preterm birth, large for gestational age (LGA) and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) admission. The glucose target range was defined as 3.5–7.8 mmol/L (63–140 mg/dL).

Results

Of the 147 participants (N = 50 type 1 diabetes, N = 94 type 2 diabetes/insulin-treated GDM) randomized to the CGM group of the GlucoMOMS trial, 115 participants had CGM metrics available and were included in the current study. We found that, in pregnancies with type 1 diabetes, a higher second trimester mean glucose was associated with LGA (odds ratio 2.6 [95% confidence interval 1.1–6.2]). In type 2 and insulin-treated gestational diabetes, an increased area under the curve above limit was associated with LGA (odds ratio 10.0 [95% confidence interval 1.4–72.8]). None of the CGM metrics were associated with neonatal hypoglycaemia, pre-eclampsia, shoulder dystocia, preterm birth and NICU admission rates for pregnancies complicated by any type of diabetes.

Conclusion

In this study, in type 2 diabetes or insulin-treated GDM, the glucose increased area under the curve above limit was associated with increased LGA. In type 1 diabetes, the mean glucose was the major determinant of LGA. Our study found no evidence that other CGM metrics determined adverse pregnancy outcomes.     

Haemoglobin A1 and congenital malformation

Two hundred and thirty pregnancies were studied in 196 diabetic women. Seven women with babies found to have major malformations had a higher median first trimester haemoglobin A1 (12.9%) than the median HbA1 (10.8%) in those with normal babies (p = 0.06). No relationship was found between the occurrence of minor malformations and first trimester maternal haemoglobin A1. Two of the seven congenital malformations were diagnosed antenatally at a time when therapeutic abortion could be offered. Expert antenatal ultrasound scanning should be offered to all pregnant diabetic women as poor glycaemic control at the time of conception and organogenesis, as evidenced by raised first trimester HbA1, predisposes to congenital malformation.     

Maternal HBsAg status and infant size – a Faustian bargain?

Information on the impact of maternal hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection on pregnancy outcome is conflicting. Some studies reported an association with increased infant birthweight, which could be interpreted as advantageous to pregnancy. A retrospective study was performed to compare birthweight outcome between 6261 and 55,817 singleton pregnancies in mothers screened positive and negative for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), respectively. The HBsAg positive women were younger, had higher body mass index (BMI) and incidence of overweight, but less gestational weight gain, and were associated with increased macrosomia (birthweight ≥4000 g) in mothers <35 years (odds ratio, OR, 1.28), BMI ≥25 kg/m(2) (OR 1.24), without gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM, OR 1.19), and in male infants (OR 1.18). It was also associated with increased large-for-gestational age (LGA, birthweight >90th percentile) infants in nulliparas (OR 1.13), age <35 years (OR 1.12), BMI ≥25 kg/m(2) (OR 1.19), with (OR 1.36) and without (OR 1.09) GDM, and in male infants (OR 1.13). When the effects of high BMI, advanced age, GDM, and male infants were controlled for, positive HBsAg was significantly associated with macrosomic (adjusted odds ratio, aOR, 1.15) and LGA (aOR 1.11) infants. In view of the latest findings on the association between high infant birthweight with increased risk of obesity, diabetes mellitus, and various forms of malignancies from childhood to adulthood, further studies are warranted to determine if maternal hepatitis B infection would impact adversely on the long-term health of the offspring through its effect on increasing birthweight.     

The mediating role of gestational diabetes mellitus in the associations of maternal prepregnancy body mass index with neonatal birth weight

BackgroundBoth prepregnancy obesity and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have been linked to adverse neonatal birth weight. However, the mediating role of GDM between prepregnancy obesity and neonatal birth weight is unclear.MethodThe cohort study included 17 260 singleton pregnant women and their newborns. Participants'' demographic characteristics, disease history, family history of the disease, and the perinatal outcomes were recorded. The association between maternal prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) status and small for gestational age (SGA) or large for gestational age (LGA) neonates was analyzed using logistic regressions, before and after adjusting for covariates and GDM. The potential mediation of GDM on the association between prepregnancy BMI and adverse birth weight was examined.ResultMultivariate logistic regression demonstrated that prepregnancy underweight women were more likely to deliver SGA neonates compared to those who had normal weights, whereas prepregnancy obese pregnant women were more likely to have LGA neonates. The RMediation analyses illustrated that the mediation effect of GDM on the maternal prepregnancy BMI (continuous variable) and the risk of SGA was not significant, whereas the association between prepregnancy BMI and LGA was statistically mediated by GDM (95%CI of a*b: 0.009‐0.051). The Iacobacci (2012) method indicated that the impact of maternal prepregnancy overweight (Zmediation = 2.418, P = .015) and obesity (Zmediation = 2.165, P = .030) on LGA was partially mediated by GDM, with an indirect effect of 16.3% and 13.1%, respectively.ConclusionPrepregnancy BMI was observed to be associated with SGA and LGA. The association of prepregnancy overweight and obesity with LGA was found to be partially mediated by GDM.     

The use of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1C) in determining glycemic control (and relevance of BMI) in diabetic patients in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Zaria,Nigeria

This study was carried out to specifically investigate the local HbA1_C level and determine extent of (if any) variation from the WHO (World Health Organization) recommended threshold for the diagnosis of diabetes and prediabetes using blood glucose as a benchmark. In addition, we also looked to see what role BMI (Body Mass Index) plays among subjects used for the study.152 subjects were used for the study: 101 diabetic subjects and 51 non-diabetic control subjects. 5 mL of blood sample was collected from each of the subjects after about 8–10 h of overnight fasting. 3–4 mL of the sample was centrifuged and the serum analysed for glucose. The remaining 1–2 ml was transferred into EDTA bottles and analysed immediately for glycated haemoglobin (HbA1_C). The BMI (kg/m²) was calculated by dividing the weight in kilograms (kg) by the square of the height in metres (m²).For the BMI, no significant difference was observed between the diabetic subjects (mean = 25.75 kg/m²) and the non-diabetic control subjects (mean = 25.09 kg/m²). Thirty-seven (37) of the diabetic subjects and twenty-three (23) of the non-diabetic subjects had HbA1_C levels (mean = 6.96% and 6.29% respectively) that would imply either prediabetes or diabetes but were actually normal going by their fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels. A new chart for the interconversions between FBG and HbA1c and for predicting their expected values from each other was realized, drawn up and recommended for consideration in the management of diabetic patients along with the WHO recommended chart.There are a lot of normal individuals with HbA1c level that does not conform to (or that are simply higher than) what is regarded as the threshold for the onset of diabetes or prediabetes. Generally, the local (Nigerian) glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) level can therefore be said to be distinctly higher for a given blood glucose range and should be taken as such in the management of diabetes in this environment. Being overweight or obese is not prerequisite to the development of diabetes or abnormal glycated haemoglobin level.     

Falsely high glycated haemoglobin [HbA1C] because of haemoglobin OSU‐Christiansborg

Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) is routinely used to assess the degree of glycaemic control in diabetic patients. We report a case of a 73 year old diabetic woman who had an elevated HbA1c of 13.4%. She was on maximum oral hypoglycaemic agents and was commenced on insulin. However, her HbA1c continued to remain high at 20.4%. Subsequent tests revealed that she had a haemoglobin variant, Haemoglobin Osu‐Christiansborg, causing the falsely high glycated haemoglobin.     

Falsely high glycated haemoglobin [HbA1C] because of haemoglobin OSU-Christiansborg

Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) is routinely used to assess the degree of glycaemic control in diabetic patients. We report a case of a 73 year old diabetic woman who had an elevated HbA1c of 13.4%. She was on maximum oral hypoglycaemic agents and was commenced on insulin. However, her HbA1c continued to remain high at 20.4%. Subsequent tests revealed that she had a haemoglobin variant, Haemoglobin Osu-Christiansborg, causing the falsely high glycated haemoglobin.     

Plasma anhydro-D-glucitol (1,5-AG) as an indicator of hyperglycaemic excursions in pregnant women with diabetes.

AIMS: To evaluate the use of the plasma 1,5-anhydro-d-glucitol (1,5-AG) level as a possible marker for glucose excursions in pregnant women with diabetes. METHODS: The study group consisted of 55 pregnant women with diabetes (gestational diabetes mellitus-GDM, n = 28 or pre-gestational diabetes mellitus -PGDM, n = 27), without hepatic or renal insufficiency, gestational age range 5-38 weeks. In each patient, 24-h glucose profile, glycated haemoglobin and 1,5-AG plasma levels were measured. Mean blood glucose (MBG) and M-value (by Schlichtkrull) were calculated. MBG, M-value and maximal daily glycaemia (MxG) were used as indexes of daily glycaemic excursions. RESULTS: A significant correlation was found between the 1,5-AG plasma level and MxG [r = (-0.3)] and between the 1,5-AG level and M-value [r = (-0.36)]. There was no association between the 1,5-AG level and gestational age. Multivariate regression analysis, with 24-h glucose profile, gestational age and MxG as independent variables, showed that MxG was the main parameter determining the 1,5-AG plasma level [beta = (-0.68)]. The M-value, the coefficient of glucose fluctuations, also determined the 1,5-AG level but with lower statistical power [beta = (0.41)]. No statistical differences were found in the group with HbA(1c) < 6% or > 6% for 1,5-AG and M-value, while MBG was higher in poorly controlled patients (HbA(1c) > 6%). CONCLUSIONS: The plasma 1,5-AG level may be a useful marker of daily glucose excursion in pregnant women with diabetes, as an adjunct to HbA(1c) monitoring.     

Glycosylated haemoglobin and glycosylated albumin in non-diabetic and diabetic mothers, and their babies

Glycosylated haemoglobin (GHb), glycosylated albumin (GAlb), and blood glucose were measured from 283 non-diabetic, 7 insulin-dependent diabetic, and 5 gestational diabetic mothers, and in the cord blood of their babies. Significant correlation was found between mother and baby for GHb (r = 0.31) and GAlb (r = 0.42). However, GHb, GAlb and glucose concentration were significantly higher in maternal blood compared to cord blood (p less than 0.001). Only GAlb showed any difference between a pregnant and a non-pregnant population (p less than 0.001). All three parameters were significantly higher in the diabetic mothers compared to the non-diabetic mothers (p less than 0.001). No difference was found between the levels of GHb and GAlb in babies from these two groups. There was no difference in the level of GHb between gestational and insulin-dependent mothers although the latter showed a significantly higher blood glucose (p less than 0.05).     

Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1) assay as a test for detection and surveillance of gestational diabetes. A reappraisal

Total glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1) levels were measured in 96 gestational diabetics and 139 normal pregnant women in order to assess their usefulness in detection and monitoring of gestational diabetes. Different, although not significant, behaviour of HbA1 values was found in gestational diabetics and controls throughout pregnancy. Significantly higher (p less than 0.005) HbA1 values were found in gestational diabetics between the 24th and the 32nd week of gestation. In spite of this finding a low sensitivity in detecting gestational diabetes was confirmed. HbA1 values and OGTT parameters did not correlate. Delivery of a large-for-date (LGA) baby was not associated with higher HbA1 levels. Overlapping HbA1 levels were found in gestational diabetics and normal pregnant women. This study confirm the low predictive value of HbA1 assay in gestational diabetes.     

Maternal body size and birth weight: can insulin or adipokines do better?

Overweight gravidas and gravidas with a robust weight gain have an accrued risk of delivering a large-for-gestational age (LGA) baby. Here, we examined whether the measurement of insulin and adipokines--peptides secreted mainly by adipose tissue--at the glucose challenge test (GCT) improves the prediction of birth weight. We studied 631 singleton pregnancies at 24 to 29 weeks' gestational age (GA) with data on height, baseline body weight (BW), and BW change between baseline and the GCT. In addition to glucose and insulin, we measured adiponectin, leptin, soluble leptin receptor (the main leptin-binding protein), and tumor necrosis factor alpha. We found that birth weight was related to maternal height, baseline BW, and BW change, and also--albeit less strongly--to insulin, adiponectin, leptin, and soluble leptin receptor concentrations. In multiple regression analyses, body size parameters explained approximately 10% of the variance in birth weight, of which BW change was the most important correlate, but the metabolic markers added only approximately 2% variance, with leptin alone adding 1.4%. Gravidas carrying a small-for-GA (SGA) fetus were more likely to have a leptin value in the highest quartile than those with an appropriate-for-GA fetus (odds ratio, 2.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-6.3; P = .04), but there were no other differences in the metabolic markers between SGA or LGA and appropriate-for-GA pregnancies. In conclusion, measuring insulin and adipokines at the GCT has limited, if any, clinical benefit to predict which fetuses will be SGA or LGA at birth.     

Pathologic ventricular hypertrophy in the offspring of diabetic mothers: a retrospective study.

AIMS: Diabetes in pregnant women is increasing and with that the complications in their offspring. We studied our population of diabetic mothers (2003-2005) for pathologic ventricular hypertrophy (PVH). METHODS AND RESULTS: In our retrospective study of all 87 diabetic pregnancies (92 neonates), 16 were type 1, 17 were type 2, and 54 were gestational diabetes (GD). Haemoglobin glycated (HbA1c) median was 5.8% (5.3-6.5): 17 with HbA1c above normal 2 with congenital heart disease (CHD) and six with PVH. A total of 75 neonates were normal, five had CHD, and 12 had PVH (1/12 died post-natally, 1/12 stillborn, 2/12 required premature delivery, 8/12 normal). The 16 type 1 pregnancies resulted in three neonates with CHD and in 50% PVH, including one death, one premature Cesarean section because of PVH. The 17 neonates of type 2 pregnancies showed in one CHD and in 25% PVH. Of the 54 GD pregnancies, one had CHD and one had PVH. CONCLUSION: Pregnancies of both type 1 and 2 diabetes carry an increased risk for foetal development of PVH compared with those with GD. The insufficient effect of preventive glycaemia controls leads to conclude that although no definite predictive parameters for malignant outcome can be presented, close monitoring of these pregnancies may prevent perinatal catastrophes.     

Improvement in glycated haemoglobin evaluated by baseline body mass index: a meta‐analysis of the liraglutide phase III clinical trial programme

In the liraglutide clinical trial programme, liraglutide 1.2 and 1.8 mg were found to effectively lower glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). It is unknown whether baseline body mass index (BMI) is a predictor of change in HbA1c observed during a clinical trial with liraglutide or placebo treatment. The present meta‐analysis of patient‐level data, using pooled data from seven phase III trials [LEAD‐1–6 and the liraglutide versus sitagliptin trial (LIRA–DPP‐4)] for liraglutide 1.2, 1.8 mg and placebo (n = 3222), identified no significant correlation between baseline BMI (<20 kg/m² up to 45 kg/m²) and HbA1c reduction for placebo or liraglutide 1.2 mg, and a modest, clinically non‐relevant, association for liraglutide 1.8 mg [?0.010 (95% confidence interval ?0.020, ?0.001)], whereby a 10 kg/m² increase in baseline BMI corresponded to 0.10%‐point (1.1 mmol/mol) greater HbA1c reduction. In summary, reductions in HbA1c obtained during clinical trials with liraglutide or placebo treatment were independent of baseline BMI.     

Glycated hemoglobin, dyslipidemia and risk of atherosclerosis in type 1 diabetic patients

The aim of this study was to determine whether the dyslipidemia was associated with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and to study the relationship of dyslipidemia and glycated hemoglobin with atherosclerosis as well as the gender difference in dyslipidemia. Twenty five clinically diagnosed type 1 diabetic children and adolescents in the age group of 7-18 years and 25 age and sex matched healthy children and adolescents constituted the study population. HbA1c was positively associated with total triglycerides, LDL, VLDL and HDL in diabetic cases as compared with controls. The gender differences were studied using chi-square test which showed that females were more prone to changes in lipid profiles as related to HbA1c levels. It was concluded that type 1 diabetes mellitus patients were at increased risk of premature atherosclerosis due to associated dyslipidemia that could be due to higher levels of glycated hemoglobin. Lower HDL levels, a possible risk of atherosclerosis showed inverse association with HbA1c levels, implying that elevated glycated hemoglobin was associated with multi-fold risk of atherosclerosis. Females were at increased risk of atherosclerosis than males because of higher prevalence of dyslipidemia among them.     

Body mass index negatively influences glycated albumin, but not glycated hemoglobin, in diabetic patients

Measurement of serum glycated albumin (GA) is accepted as an alternative method to evaluate chronic glycemic control in diabetic patients in whom measurement of HbA 1c is inadequate for some reason. Although GA levels are known to be influenced by serum albumin turnover besides glycemia, little is known about the physiological and pathological conditions affecting GA levels. This study was aimed to prove the effects of body mass index (BMI) on GA measurement in diabetic patients. We studied 209 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus whose HbA 1c levels had been stable for at least the past three months. In the study patients HbA 1c and GA levels were found to be correlated to one another. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) was significantly correlated with HbA 1c and GA. BMI showed a significant negative correlation with GA levels, whereas there was no correlation of BMI with HbA 1c levels. Multivariate regression analyses revealed that only FPG was positively correlated with HbA 1c, while FPG was positively and BMI was negatively correlated with GA. Only BMI was negatively correlated with the ratio of GA to HbA 1c. These results clearly demonstrate that GA levels are negatively influenced by BMI in diabetic patients.