Workshop 5

Glycated haemoglobin analysis in patients with haemoglobin variants

Ms Janet Smith & Dr Susan Manley

This workshop will provide information on the following topics:

• recommendations for use of HbA1c testing
• current UK guidelines for treatment of diabetes
• relationship of glucose to HbA1c in clinical trials such as DCCT & UKPDS
• methods used in UK for measuring HbA1c, both laboratory and POCT
• possible interference in HbA1c measurement
• alternative measures for monitoring glycaemic control
• recent publications on haemoglobin variants.

Participants are asked to send the following details by email to susan.manley@uhb.nhs.uk by 8th April 2004 if possible:

• method/s used for measuring HbA1c in their hospital
• procedures for identifying interference & reporting of HbA1c if haemoglobin variants
• present any clinical cases involving the presence of haemoglobin variants.

Aims and objectives:
During this interactive session, we will review (with a view to publication) manufacturers' instructions for reporting HbA1c in the presence of haemoglobin variants, and the current practice in UK laboratories for monitoring glycaemic control in patients with haemoglobin variants. Interesting clinical cases submitted will be discussed along with published information on common and less common haemoglobin variants. A CD on the topics discussed will be available at the meeting for participants