Influence of Glycemic Variability on the HbA1c Level in Elderly Male Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of glycemic variability on the HbA1c level in elderly male patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). METHODS: The 24-h glucose profiles were obtained using a continuous glucose monitoring system in 291 elderly male type 2 diabetic patients. The relationship between the glycemic variability and HbA1c level was assessed in these patients. RESULTS: The mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE) in patients with HbA1c ≥7.0% was significantly higher than in patients with HbA1c <7.0% (4.33±1.67 vs. 3.48±1.46 mmol/L, p<0.001). A simple (Pearson's) correlation analysis indicated that the MAGE was significantly correlated with the HbA1c (r=0.229, p<0.001). Compared with the lowest quartile, the highest quartile of the MAGE was associated with a significantly increased risk of having a HbA1c ≥7.0% after multiple adjustments (p (for trend) <0.001). CONCLUSION: The glycemic variability had a significant influence on the HbA1c level in elderly male patients with T2DM. The present data suggests that patients with higher glycemic variability might have higher HbA1c levels.