Translating Hemoglobin A1c Scores across an Ethnically Diverse Population: Is the Language Consistent across All Races?

Authors

Corliss M. Allen
Eartha S. Butler
Joseph Negusei
Celeste Hart
Ivette A. López
Cynthia M. Harris
Penny Ralston

Publication Date

December 2010

Abstract

Hemoglobin A1c testing is an accepted measure of how well the blood glucose level has been controlled in the recent past (six to eight weeks) among individuals with diabetes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and blood glucose in an ethnically diverse population in a clinical setting. A cross-sectional research design was employed to explore associations between these two diabetes control measures in a sample of African American, White and Hispanic patients receiving diabetes treatment and follow-up in an outpatient clinic in Tallahassee, Florida. Data collection included a questionnaire, medical examinations, and lab results. Although we found a significant association between the glucose level and the HbA1c levels, the A1c value did not predict the mean glucose value as closely as previously found in less diverse groups. These findings suggest there is need for further study of these two variables among minority groups.

Recommended Citation

Allen, Corliss M.; Butler, Eartha S.; Negusei, Joseph; Hart, Celeste; López, Ivette A.; Harris, Cynthia M.; and Ralston, Penny (2010) "Translating Hemoglobin A1c Scores across an Ethnically Diverse Population: Is the Language Consistent across All Races?," Florida Public Health Review: Vol. 7, Article 14.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.unf.edu/fphr/vol7/iss1/14