Abstract: HbA1c standardisation and clinical outcomes
Definitive studies in the 1990s such as the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) in type 1 diabetes and the United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) in type 2 diabetes have proven a relationship between HbA1c and diabetes complications.
At the time of these studies, there was little standardisation of HbA1c assays which meant that the same sample sent to different laboratories could give very different results. As a consequence, it was difficult to compare the result obtained by a patient with those who participated in the DCCT or UKPDS trials. Harmonisation of HbA1c to NGSP (DCCT) values and then standardisation to SI (IFCC) has reduced the between-lab variability substantially which has led to an improvement in the precision with which a patient’s risk of diabetes complications is assessed using the test.
There has been a concern that the change in units from NGSP (%) to SI (mmol/mol) could cause confusion and therefore be detrimental to clinical outcomes, but evidence to date has been reassuring in this regard.
Lastly, it appears that longer-term fluctuations in HbA1c could be at least as predictive of diabetes complications as the mean HbA1c over the same period. This reinforces the need for HbA1c standardisation if the full extent of glucose-related risk of diabetes problems is to be assessed.
Welcome to Helsinki and International Congress on Quality in Laboratory Medicine to learn more. Dr. Kilpatrick will give his presentation on Friday 9 February, 2018. www.labqualitydays.com
Professor Eric Kilpatrick
Division Chief in Clinical Biochemistry at Sidra Medical and Research Center, Qatar
Eric Kilpatrick is Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Weill Cornell College, Qatar and honorary Professor of Clinical Biochemistry at Hull York Medical School in the UK. He is also the former President of the Association for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine in the UK and currently Chairs the Scientific Committee of the European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine.
After graduating in medicine from the University of Glasgow in 1988, Prof. Kilpatrick trained in Clinical Biochemistry in Glasgow and then Manchester before being appointed as the consultant Head of Department of Clinical Biochemistry at Hull Royal Infirmary in 1998. He subsequently became Clinical Director for Pathology there and in 2015 moved to Qatar to help establish a new laboratory service.
Academically, he gained his higher MD degree from Glasgow in 1996, with his thesis combining his interest in the laboratory medicine and clinical diabetes. Since then, he has become an international authority on assessing glucose control in diabetes and has published over 150 articles peer-reviewed articles contributing, in 2006, to him becoming the first honorary Professor from Hull at Hull York Medical School. Since moving to Qatar he has been appointed as Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine by Cornell University, New York.
Prof. Kilpatrick’s other leadership roles include being Chair of national audit in his field of medicine between 2004 and 2010 as well as providing expert advice to the UK Government and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) on aspects of diabetes care.
His work has also led to him to become a seasoned presenter at diabetes and clinical biochemistry conferences, including over 25 international meetings in the last decade. He has additionally gained recognition by receiving international lectures and awards from countries such as the UK, Canada and Australia.
International Congress on Quality in Laboratory Medicine 8-9 February, 2018 Helsinki, Finland
Register now and ensure your participation to the most interesting congress in medical laboratory field in 2018. Scientific program deals with quality issues of laboratory medicine and advanced healthcare technologies. Two inspiring days with world class speakers will guarantee an unforgettable experience. Read more on www.labqualitydays.com
See you in Helsinki!
Share this article
