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SEACO-Research-Note-20-Oct-2015pdf. (262.84 kB)

Predicting blood glucose levels from HbA1c is not the same as predicting HbA1c from blood glucose levels: a common methodological misunderstanding.

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posted on 2015-10-20, 13:08 authored by Daniel ReidpathDaniel Reidpath, Pascale AlloteyPascale Allotey, Mark R Diamond
A methodological problem with the conversion of HbA1c to blood glucose level and visa versa has slipped under our noses.  The prediction equations on which the conversions are based assume that predicting HbA1c from blood glucose is the same as predicting blood glucose from HbA1c.  The problem is pervasive and can be seen on the websites of the American Diabetes Association, Diabetes UK, the US, National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program, on commercial sites, and in research.  Using a secondary analysis of publicly available out-patient data we illustrate why predicting one from the other is not the same as the reverse.  The implications for clinical care, research, and patient self management are highlighted.

This Research Note is supported by code on github: https://gist.github.com/dreidpath/76bc76a1cecb1d454801

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