Normal Values of Hemoglobin A1c among Women in Khartoum State: (A Pilot Study, 2016)

Introduction Currently no local studies have been conducted to investigate the normal reference range of HbA1C in Sudanese women, and the normal reference range of HbA1C is obtained from international data. These data were largely based on western population which is different from Sudan in their environment, ethnic groups, nutritional habitsand body mass index. Most of the studies about HbA1Cconducted in Sudan generally or Khartoum state specifically were concentratingon abnormal HbA1Crather than the normal values. Objectives The research aimed to measure the normal values of haemoglobin A1C in Sudanese women living in Khartoum State during the period from May 2016 to July 2016, and to compare the normal values of HbA1C in Sudanese women to that found in international references andto determine the relation between HbA1C level and Hb level in non diabetic Sudanese women in Khartoum state. Methods A cross sectional, community based study was conducted in Khartoum state during May 2016 to July 2016 among healthy Sudanese adults, non-diabetic female volunteers above 30 years old. Twenty women were included as a pilot. After their consent they were assessed via a questionnaire covering age, occupation, chronic illness, menstrual cycle, pregnancy, number of kids, exercise, daily caloric intake for the last three days and smoking history. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated using BMI formula based on metric unit by measuring weight and height. BMI= weight (kg) / height2 (m2). Arterial blood pressure was checked for each volunteer to exclude hypertension. Blood samples were analyzed for FBG (to exclude DM), Hb level and glycosylated hemoglobin level by colorimetric reaction using machine TWIN A1C analyzer. Correlations between the variables were estimated and P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The mean of HbA1c was found to be 3.43 % +1.17 with a range of (1.4 % - 5.3 %). There was no correlation between Normal FBG, Hb level, daily caloric intake, age and the level of HbA1c. The mean of the BMI was 25.09 with a maximum of 31.9 and a minimum of 16.46 with no correlation between HbA1c and BMI. The mean of HbA1c in physically active participants was 3.9 % (+0.9) and in the non active participants was 3.1 % (+1.3). Conclusion According to this study the normal values of HbA1c in Sudanese women is found to be different from the international values.