Objective: The A1C-Derived Average Glucose study recommended reporting A1C in estimated average glucose (eAG) equivalents. We compared eAG with self-monitored mean blood glucose (MBG) to determine whether eAG is systematically biased due to biological variation in the relationship between MBG and A1C.
Research design and methods: MBG and A1C were recorded from charts of 202 pediatric type 1 diabetic patients at 1,612 clinic visits. Patients were divided into groups with low, moderate, or high A1C bias based on a hemoglobin glycation index (HGI).
Results: The mean +/- SD values for MBG versus eAG were as follows: total population, 194 +/- 34 vs. 196 +/- 36 mg/dl; low-HGI group, 186 +/- 31 vs. 163 +/- 20 mg/dl; moderate-HGI group, 195 +/- 28 vs. 193 +/- 19 mg/dl; and high-HGI group, 199 +/- 42 vs. 230 +/- 31 mg/dl.
Conclusions: eAG underestimated MBG in low HGI patients and overestimated MBG in high HGI patients. Disagreement between eAG and MBG downloaded from patient glucose meters will cause confusion if eAG is implemented for clinical use.