Diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus Using Glycated Hemoglobin (A1c): The Nigerian Perspective
Tunji Akande *
Department of Chemical Pathology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bingham University, Jos, Nigeria
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Diabetes is an international public health issue. International Expert Committee recommended an alternative diagnostic index testing for diabetes using glycated (A1c).
Objective: This study aimed to determine whether A1c test should be used for diagnosing diabetes mellitus in Nigeria.
Methods: By assessing the strength of WHO recommendation and the feasibility and resources implication in Nigeria setting.
Results: The strength of the recommendation was rated as good by the quality of evidence but not applicable at population level due to high cost and scarce availability of A1c test.
Conclusion: The adoption of A1c test as a diagnostic test at present is problematic. Therefore plasma glucose measurements should still be adopted for the diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus while the A1c assay could be used for monitoring diabetes.
Keywords: Diabetes, A1c test, plasma glucose measurement, Nigeria