COMPARATIVE-EVALUATION OF 3 ASSAY SYSTEMS FOR AUTOMATED-DETERMINATIONOF HEMOGLOBIN A(1C)

We evaluated three newly introduced systems for automated determinatio ns of hemoglobin (Hb) Al, which allow the processing of large amounts of samples in a routine clinical laboratory. We compared these methods -the Variant HPLC, the Hi-Auto A,, analyzer system, and the Roche immu noassay-with the Diamat HPLC system. All showed good precision and goo d concordance with the Diamat HPLC. The reference range for Hb A,, has to be determined by the laboratory for each assay system. Interferenc e study showed no statistically significant influence of anemia, polyc ythemia, rheumatoid factor, or chronic hemodialysis, although individu al Hb A,, values can be influenced by polycythemia (when measured with the Hi-Auto A,, analyzer) and by chronic hemodialysis (when measured with the Variant HPLC). HPLC was not suitable for measuring Hb A,, in the examined cases of hemoglobin variants; assaying fructosamine seems to be better for monitoring these patients.