Influence of Age and Nutritional Status on Glycated Albumin Values in Hemodialysis Patients

Objective: Several studies have shown glycated albumin (GA) to be a more accurate glycemic marker than HbA(1c) in diabetic patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). However GA values are influenced by several factors associated with albumin turnover independent of glycemia. We tried to clarify the factors other than glycemic control affecting GA values in ESRD patients.

Patients And Methods: We examined the associations between GA values and several clinical variables related to albumin metabolism in 41 non-diabetic patients on maintenance hemodialysis.

Results: Although there were no significant correlations between glucose, albumin, and GA values, there were significant correlations between age, cholinesterase (ChE) values, BMI, and GA values (r=0.515, p=0.0004, r=-0.394, p=0.010, r=-0.327, p=0.036). Stepwise multivariate regression analysis showed that age and ChE values were significant independent variables associated with GA values (beta=0.479, -0.343, R(2)=0.382).

Conclusion: GA values are influenced by age and nutritional status independent of glycemia in non-diabetic ESRD patients. We should be aware of factors other than glycemic control affecting GA values.