Bi-weekly Glycated Albumin Measurement was Useful to Encourage Behavioral Changes in People with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

INTRODUCTION: Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), representing the average blood glucose over 1-2 months, is the most commonly used glycemic marker in people with diabetes. Glycated albumin (GA) reflects the average blood glucose over the most recent 1-2 weeks. We considered whether the faster response of GA compared with HbA1c could make people with diabetes realize their glycemic control intuitively and effectively.

METHODS: We randomized 61 people with diabetes into the control and intervention groups. Blood samples were collected from both every fortnight over an 8-week period (five times; visit 1-5). Only the intervention group was notified of the GA levels on the same day. At the beginning and end of the study, International Physical Activity Questionnaire and Eating Behavior Questionnaire assessments, and body composition measurements were conducted.

RESULTS: The body weight change was significantly lower in the intervention group at visit 2 and visit 5. The percent body fat change was lower, while the percent skeletal muscle mass change at visit 5 was higher in the intervention group. Increasing GA trend was observed in the control group, but not in the intervention group. The fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c changes at visit 5 were similar in the two groups. Physical activity level change tended to be higher in the intervention group. The YN Eating Behavior Questionnaire score changes were similar in the two groups.

CONCLUSION: Bi-weekly GA measurement over an 8-week period in people with type 2 diabetes induced behavioral changes. Development of this method is expected to improve diabetes management.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN000037795.