Serum levels of fructosamine in healthy non-diabetic Nigerians

Abstract

Objectives: Fructosamine (glycated serum proteins) was estimated in 255 healthy non-diabetic Nigerians. This was aimed at developing a new reference interval (RI) for this intermediate-term index of glycaemic control. The RI that is currently in- use in most laboratories across Nigeria were either wrongly derived or are values derived in other countries of the world. Methodology: Fructosamine was estimated using the nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) assay method as evaluated by Isah in 1990. Random blood glucose,
albumin, total proteins and total bilirubin were also measured in all the participants by routine laboratory methods. Non-parametric method was employed for the determination of RI for fructosamine. The new RI for fructosamine was 0.7-1.8 mmol/L as against the RI ( 0.9-1.8 mmol/L) currently in-use. Results: This study showed a difference in the 2.5th percentile value between male and female participants. Fructosamine also showed positive correlation with glucose, total proteins and albumin. No correlation was observed between fructosamine and total bilirubin. Conclusion: This study described a new reference interval for fructosamine in our indigenous population.