HbA1c: Gender Differences in Non-Diabetic Young Population

HbA1c: Gender Differences in Non-Diabetic Young Population

Introduction

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is the most common type of diabetes. It usually occurs in adulthood, but it is constantly increasing in children and adolescents [1]. In most countries, T2DM incidence has increased alongside rapid cultural and social changes: ageing of the general population, increased urbanisation, reduced levels of physical activity, wrong eating habits such as increased consumption of sugar and fatty foods and low consumption of fruit and vegetable. Together with increasing levels of obesity and physical inactivity, T2DM represents a major public health problem worldwide with a large number of pathological implications [2]. Many children with T2DM risk can develop complications in early adulthood, determining a consequent significant burden for the family and for the society. Nowadays, the data that arouses the greatest concern is represented by the account 8-45% T2DM of all new cases of diabetes are reported among children and adolescents [1]. Most often, the disease is diagnosed around the age of 13-14 years, with an earlier onset in girls, suggesting that physiological insulin resistance during puberty may play an important role in this population [1]. In this context, as a part of a multicentric study to determine the reference values of Glycosylated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) in a young healthy population [3], we analysed paediatric subjects to describe HbA1c trend by gender and age.

Materials/Patients and Methods

One hundred fifty-seven healthy subjects were referred to the Policlinico Agostino Gemelli- University Hospital for routine surveillance and on this occasion, the samples were collected. The protocol was written according to the ethical guidelines of Helsinki Declaration. All participants enrolled in the study provided signed consent (by both parent and minor), before being enrolled in the study. Exclusion criteria were: anaemia (hemoglobin <11 g/dl) [4], basal glucose values >100 mg/dl, history of type 1 and 2 diabetes in any first-degree relative (parent, sibling), and presence of hemoglobinopathies. All analyzed subjects presented Body Mass Index (BMI) comprised between 18 and 25 kg/m2 and Caucasian race. Whole blood samples, obtained by venipuncture, were collected in K2-EDTA tubes and stored at -80°C. Samples were analysed by capillary electrophoresis (Capillarys 2-FP; Sebia, Lisses, France) using the same reagents production batch. All the samples were processed in the accredited Biochemistry Laboratory of the University Hospital Tor Vergata, Rome. All data was initially entered into an Excel spreadsheet (Microsoft, Redmond, WA, USA) and the statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Social Package for Windows, version 17.0 (SPSS, Chicago, IL, USA) and ANOVA, with the “post-hoc Bonferroni test”, was used. A value of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

The study population has been divided into three subgroups based on age: A: 3-9 years, B: 10-14 years and C: 15-17 years. Moreover, the studied population was stratified by gender (Figure 1A). Data analysis showed in males a substantial equivalence in the average of HbA1c values in groups A (5.0 ± 0.2 %; 30.9 ± 2.9 mmol/ mol) and C (5.0 ± 0.1 %; 30.8 ± 1.8 mmol/mol), but not in the group B (5.1 ± 0.2; 31.8 ± 2.8 mmol/mol). Conversely, female showed HbA1c similar mean values, being slightly lower than the maximum value detected in the youngest group (group A, 5.0 ± 0.2 %; 31.1± 2.9 mmol/mol) with respect to group C (4.9 ± 0.4 %; 30.2 ± 3.8 mmol/ mol) and group B (4.9 ± 0.3 %; 30.1 ± 2.6 mmol/mol). There were no significant differences in HbA1c average values according to age group in the children of same gender. Furthermore, we compared the mean HbA1c values between males and females of the same age group. Finally results showed only for B group an average HbA1c concentration significantly greater in males than in females (p < 0.05; Figure 1B) (Table 1).

Figure 1: HbA1c % mean concentration, stratified by gender and age, in non-diabetic children and adolescent. Error bar represents standard error.

Table 1: HbA1c % by gender and age groups.

*Data expressed as mean standard deviation.

Note: HbA1c, Glycosylated hemoglobin; N, number

Discussion

The current American Diabetes Association recommendations suggest that HbA1c values for diabetic children are between 7.5% and 8.5% (58 and 69 mmol/mol) up to six years of age. Subsequently, with ageing, percentage values of HbA1c should be less than 8% (64 mmol/mol) in children aged 6 to 13 years and less than 7.5% (58 mmol/mol) in those aged 13 to 18 years. There are different reports that provide reference values for HbA1c among American population aged 5-24 years, who were evaluated by age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, parental history of diabetes, overweight, and glucose status [5]. The results of these studies showed that average HbA1c levels were high in group aged 10-14 years. This might reflect, the transient change in insulin sensitivity at onset of puberty. A large study determined levels of fasting serum insulin, glucose and HbA1c relating to European pre-pubertal children [6]. Our data are agree with this paper in the range age analysed (3- 11 years), while our study provided values for HbA1c distribution among individuals aged 3–17 years differentiated by age and gender also including pubertal age. Furthermore, we showed no statistical differences by gender in pediatric age, except for group B. The difference in this group (10-14 years) is probably explained by the age of menarche for females and consequently for the protective action of sexual hormones.

The average HbA1c values for each age and gender group were substantially similar, although slightly higher in males. The HbA1c mean values of girls, compared to the adult females [3] is almost constant, this finding suggests that HbA1c, during the life of women, increases only in case of pre-diabetic state and/or diabetic disease. In males, on the other hand, the mean HbA1c remains constant up to 45 years old, increasing over the years. This fact supports the evidence that the abdominal fat deposition in males is a predisposing factor in insulin resistance, with subsequent increase of HbA1c values. HbA1c measurement is not sufficient for the diagnosis of diabetes, but it could help paediatricians for early detection of the disease in children, together with the use of the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) [7]. In diabetic condition, it is frequent to observe an increase in oxidative stress, correlated to an increased production of Advanced Glycation End-Products (AGEs). Therefore, in a subsequent study it would be interesting to monitor the oxido-reductive state in children, by quantifying Erythrocyte Glutathione Transferases (e-GST) and Oxidized Albumin (HSAox) [8-10].

Conclusion

Our results underline a statistical significance related to gender difference in the age group, where the DMT2 onset is frequent. This work provides preliminary data that requires further study; however, it may be useful oversee the HbA1C trend in children and adolescent populations.

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