Position statement on the use of HbA1C assays for the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus

Abstract

In July 2009, an International Expert Committee appointed by the American Diabetes Association (ADA), the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) published a report recommending that the glycated haemoglobin (HbA1C) assay be used for the diagnosis of diabetes in non-pregnant individuals.1 The report documents the shortcomings of plasma glucose measurements, the advantages and limitations of the HbA1C assay, and recommends threshold values for the diagnosis of diabetes and the identification of individuals at high risk for diabetes, i.e. those with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or impaired fasting glucose (IFG). These recommendations (summarised in Table I) were meant to stimulate debate and discussion. An important prerequisite is that the laboratory and HbA1C assay being considered for diagnostic use must be certified by the National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program (NGSP).