HbA1c Is Disproportionately Higher in Women and Older People With Type 1 Diabetes Compared With Flash Glucose Monitoring Metrics of Glycemic Control

Abstract

Aims: Discrepancy between HbA1c and glucose exposure may have significant clinical implications. We sought to assess predictors of disparity between HbA1c and flash monitoring metrics and how these relate to microvascular complications. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of adults with type 1 diabetes (n = 518). We assessed the relationship between clinic HbA1c and flash monitoring metrics, predictors of discrepancy between these measurements, and whether discrepancy was associated with microvascular complications. Results: Actual HbA1c and estimated HbA1c were strongly correlated (r =.779, P 39 years) despite significantly higher glucose exposure, in younger people, based on multiple flash monitoring metrics. Having a lower estimated than actual HbA1c was independently associated with a lower prevalence of retinopathy (OR =.55, P =.004). Conclusions: HbA1c appears to overestimate glucose exposure in women and older people with type 1 diabetes. This has potentially important clinical implications, as is hinted at by the independent relationship with retinopathy prevalence. It may also be of relevance when considering the use of HbA1c for the diagnosis of diabetes.