Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research (Jun 1999)

Fetal hemoglobin levels are related to metabolic control in diabetic subjects

  • V.C. Pardini,
  • I.M.N. Victória,
  • F.B. Pieroni,
  • G. Milagres,
  • P.D. Nascimento,
  • G. Velho,
  • S. Purisch,
  • H. Pardini

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-879X1999000600005
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 32, no. 6
pp. 695 – 701

Abstract

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We have investigated the relationship between fetal hemoglobin (HbF) levels and metabolic control in subjects with insulin-dependent (N = 79) and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (N = 242). HbF and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels were increased in subjects with type 1 and type 2 diabetes as compared to levels in nondiabetic individuals (P<0.0001), and were significantly higher in type 1 than in type 2 diabetes subjects. Lower levels of HbA1c and HbF were observed in type 2 diabetes subjects treated by diet, intermediate levels in those treated with oral hypoglycemic agents, and higher levels in those treated with insulin. HbF and HbA1c levels were correlated in type 1 diabetes (R2 = 0.57, P<0.0001) and type 2 diabetes (R2 = 0.58, P<0.0001) subjects. Following intense treatment, twelve diabetic patients showed significant improvement both in HbA1c and HbF values. We conclude that increased HbF levels reflect poor metabolic control in subjects with diabetes mellitus.

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