HbA1C as a marker of retrograde glycaemic control in diabetes patient with co‐existed beta‐thalassaemia: A case report and a literature review

Abstract

What is known and objective

The HbA1C marker used in assessing diabetes control quality is not sufficient in diabetes patients with thalassaemia.

Case description

A male diabetic patient with thalassaemia was hospitalized due to distal neuropathic pain, right toe trophic ulcer, unacceptable five‐point glycaemic profile and recommended HbA1C value. After simultaneously initiated insulin therapy and management of ulcer by hyperbaric oxygen, the patient showed improved glycaemic control and ulcer healing, which led to the patient's discharge.

What is new and conclusion

In thalassaemia and haemoglobinopathies, due to discrepancies in the five‐point glycaemic profile and HbA1C values, it is necessary to measure HbA1C with a different method or to determine HbA1C and fructosamine simultaneously.

The HbA1C marker used in assessing diabetes control quality is not sufficient in diabetes patients with thalassaemia. In thalassaemia and haemoglobinopathies, due to discrepancies in the five‐point glycaemic profile and HbA1C values, it is necessary to measure HbA1C with a different method or to determine HbA1C and fructosamine simultaneously.

1. WHAT IS KNOWN

The major functions of haemoglobin are the transport oxygen from the lungs to peripheral tissues, and the transport of carbon dioxide in the opposite direction. The flexible haemoglobin structure enables such fine‐tuned processes.1 A haemoglobin molecule is composed of four polypeptide globin chains that contain haem. Haem has a protoporphyrin ring made up of four pyrrole rings and a central iron ion in the reduced, ferrous state (Fe²⁺). Contrary to its relatively unstable, ferric state, ferrous state of iron ion enables the binding of oxygen.1, 2 Haemoglobin A constitutes about 97% of the total haemoglobin, thus being the most common form of haemoglobin in humans. It is composed of two α (141 amino acids) and two β (146 amino acids) chains. HbA2 is composed of two α and two δ chains and comprises 2.2%‐3.5% of an adult's haemoglobin.3, 4 Inherited diseases that affect any part of haemoglobin components syntheses alter haemoglobin structure and biochemical properties with different physiological and clinical significance.1, 3, 4

Thalassaemia is a group of inherited diseases, characterized by abnormal production of one or more α or β globin chains with subsequent imbalance in haemoglobin (Hb) production. Red blood cells (RBC) in thalassaemia syndromes are prone to medullary or extramedullary haemolysis due to membrane damage induced by non‐matched globin chains.5, 6 α‐thalassaemia occurs when one or more of the genes that produce α‐globin chains is absent or mutated. The α‐thalassaemia deletions remove either one or two α‐globin genes on each chromosome,7 and in cases where the foetus lacks all four α‐globin genes, Bart's hydrops in utero occurs. In the cases where three genes deletion are present, haemoglobin H (HbH) disease occurred. The carriers with localized deletions on two or one α globin gene are asymptomatic with mild or with no anaemia. 8

β‐thalassaemia minor (β⁰/β⁺ or β/β⁺) is a heterozygous type of usually asymptomatic anaemia, with observed mild to moderate anaemia and a slight increase in HbA2 and HbF levels. More severe forms with enlarged liver and spleen, β‐thalassaemia intermedia (ie β^+/β⁺) and β‐thalassaemia major (ie β^0/β⁰) present as anaemia (that does not require blood transfusion) and severe anaemia (infants fail to thrive), respectively. The inability to produce β‐globin chains causes the excessive production of α‐globin chains, which eventually precipitates.9, 10 The result is the production of fragile RBCs and their precursors that causes further medullary and extramedullary haemolysis. As medullary haematopoiesis is ineffective, extramedullary haematopoiesis becomes expansive and clinically apparent (skull bossing and hair‐on‐end signs, hepatosplenomegaly, and osteopenia). The reduced lifespan of RBCs results in increased iron turnover through increased iron absorption, haemolysis and numerous blood transfusions. The increased iron turnover leads to excessive deposits of iron in different organs, such as the endocrine glands, liver and heart. β‐thalassaemia is confirmed by complete blood count, haematological indices and film, measurement of iron, HbA2 and HbF, and Hb electrophoresis. Asymptomatic thalassaemia patients routinely have scheduled follow‐ups with a haematologist. Folates, iron‐chelators, large doses of vitamin C (favour urinary iron excretion), hormone replacement therapy (to compensate for the insufficient hormones secreted by the endocrine glands) and bone marrow transplantation are used to manage β‐thalassaemia major patients, as well as splenectomy in the cases of hypersplenism. The antenatal diagnosis using foetal blood or DNA is of extreme importance.6, 8, 11, 12

HbA1C is a valuable parameter that determines the quality of glycaemic control in diabetes mellitus over the 2 months preceding the RBC half‐life of 80‐120 days. Blood glucose glycates the ε‐amino group of lysine residues and the amino terminals of Hb in RBC. About 5% of Hb is usually glycated normally, and glycaemia determined this proportion.13

2. OBJECTIVE

In conditions that affect Hb status or rate of RBC turnovers, such as in thalassaemia and haemoglobinopathies, HbA1C could be inappropriate as a retrograde glycaemic regulation marker. In such cases, fructosamine may be very beneficial.13, 14 Fructosamine is a ketoamine created by glycosylation of total serum proteins, primarily albumin.15 It reflects average glycaemia over the previous 1‐4 weeks.16

With this case study, we analyse the pitfalls in the assessment of retrograde diabetes control quality in a patient with thalassaemia.

3. CASE DESCRIPTION

We performed blood analyses using the DxC 800 and DXI‐600 devices, Beckman Coulter Inc, USA. An abdominal ultrasound was performed by Toshiba Xario, Japan. A chest X‐ray and abdominal X‐ray were performed using the Agfa DX‐D100+, Belgium.

We hospitalized a 67‐year‐old male due to chronic distal neuropathic pain, trophic right toe ulcer and distal sensorimotor polyneuropathy verified by EMG. In his medical history, we found that he had thalassaemia not requiring blood transfusions. It was also noted that his daughter suffered from the β‐thalassaemia‐heterozygous state. The patient's five‐point glycaemic profile showed moderate postprandial hyperglycaemic episodes, with no hypoglycaemia (Table 1), but we observed irregularities with the retrograde glycaemic control, as the levels of HbA1C were repeatedly optimal, despite electromyography confirmation of distal polyneuropathy (Table 1). Because a record about β‐thalassaemia was noticed later, fructosamine measurements were not performed at this point.

Table 1.

Laboratory analyses on admission and at discharge

Analysis	On admission	After six months	Reference values
Peak postprandial glycaemia (mmol/L)	15	13	3.9‐6.1
HbA1C (%)	6.5	6.5	≤6.5
C peptide (ng/mL)	4.36	/	0.9‐4.0
Fructosamine (µmol/L)	/	267	205‐285

Abbreviation: HbA1C, haemoglobin A1C.

During the examination of the obese and normotensive patient (BMI 32.7 kg/m², BP 130/80 mmHg), we identified a small trophic ulcer of the right toe with palpable pulses on distal arteries. We observed no other physical abnormalities and did not detect any chronic micro‐ or macrovascular diabetes complication on proper imaging.

Laboratory analyses revealed microcytic anaemia and enzyme syndrome of liver necrosis and remodelling (Table 2). An abdominal ultrasound further revealed mild enlargement of liver and spleen (liver 160 mm, spleen 142 × 70 mm). The findings of immunochemistry, thyroid function tests, proteinuria and estimated glomerular filtration rate were at standard levels. Chest X‐ray and Doppler scan of distal peripheral arteries did not show any pathology.

Table 2.

The results of biochemical analyses

Analysis	On admission	Reference values
Red blood cells (×1012/L)	6.1	4.5‐6.3
Haemoglobin (g/dL)	127	140‐175
Haematocrit (L/L)	0.40	0.40‐0.52
MCV (fL)	69	80‐96
MCH (pg)	21.8	27.0‐33.0
MCHC (g/L)	325	330‐360
AST (U/L)	41	<37
ALT (U/L)	69	<43
γGT (U/L)	177	<50

Abbreviations: ALT, alanine aminotransferase; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; MCHC, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration; MCH, mean corpuscular haemoglobin; γGT, gamma‐glutamyl transferase; MCV, mean corpuscular volume.

Despite the preserved pancreatic insulin reserve estimated by basal C peptide measurement (Table 1), conventional insulin treatment was introduced, along with insulin sensitizer. After hyperbaric oxygen treatment, the patient was discharged with improved glycaemic profile and right toe trophic ulcer healing, as well as with the mild improvement of polyneuropathy‐associated complaints after the introduction of treatment for peripheral neuropathic pain control (alpha‐lipoic acid, amitriptyline and pregabalin). Six months later, the five‐point glycaemic profile was suboptimal, but HbA1C and fructosamine levels pointed out to optimal retrograde glycaemic control (Table 1).

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a common complication of thalassaemia major patients, with incidence rates ranging from 14%‐24%.17 The onset of T2DM in thalassaemia patients is often very deceptive.18 The exact mechanism of T2DM in thalassaemia patients is still unclear. However, the contribution of iron overload, insulin resistance, and α‐ and β‐cells destruction induced by iron deposition and associated inflammation is unequivocal.18, 19, 20

Thalassaemia can interfere with the markers of glycaemic regulation in T2DM patients through several mechanisms, such as reduction of RBC lifespan and the presence of some Hb variants (ie HbS, HbA2 and HbF). Hb variants can affect HbA1C measurement in multiple ways, such as through the change of 1/ Hb net charge, 2/ glycation rate and 3/ RBC lifespan.21 This interference can be the reason for false lower or higher measurement results, which can cause patients to be over‐ or under‐treated.22, 23 Such false results can even impact T2DM diagnosis.20 Thus, determining appropriate measures that can deal with the validation of results suspected of the presence of Hb variants is of interest.24 Developing more appropriate measures requires an understanding of the HbA1C measurement methods, as well as the information on the presence of Hb variants.20, 21, 25 Even more factors that could interfere with HbA1C measurement are being identified.26, 27 Thus, there is a need for the development of new methods for HbA1C measurement.28

Besides that, iron‐deficiency anaemia, haemorrhage, haemolysis, blood transfusions or uremia can also impact the RBC lifespan. In the conditions followed by the reduced RBC life span, fructosamine correlated better with the actual glycaemic level than HbA1C.25, 29 It is noteworthy that heterozygous subjects with any of the worldwide most common Hb variants (eg S, C, E, D) are usually asymptomatic and have regular RBC lifespan.25

In the cases of discrepancy between profile or average glycaemia values and markers of retrograde glycaemic control, such as HbA1C, the clinician should be cautious about the presence of some disease or condition that interferes with HbA1C measurement. Such consideration is especially important in the case where T2DM patients have existing micro‐ or macrovascular complications and preserved renal function. Also, biochemists and clinicians should collaborate more closely on proper diagnosis. This way, biochemist will better understand the value of identifying a parameter that interferes with HbA1C measurement (such as Hb variants or determined chemical compound, eg carbamylated Hb), as it may suggest a more reliable marker for the assessment of retrograde glycaemic regulation, such as fructosamine.30

The non‐enzymatic addition of glucose to the N‐terminal valine of the Hg β‐chains irreversibly modifies HbA1C.31 It is well‐known that glycation of Hb can be affected by genetics, ethnicity or even race.32 The false results of HbA1C measurement can be observed as increased or decreased, depending on already mentioned RBC lifespan and administered blood transfusions, but also the assay used.33 Additionally, the premature destruction of RBCs shortens the time for Hb glycation and hence lowers levels of measured HbA1C.30

4. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION

Here, we present the case report of a male thalassaemia patient with co‐existing T2DM complicated with distal polyneuropathy and vasculopathy. Shortly after insulin introduction, the five‐point glycaemic profile was improved on patient hospital discharged. Because of poor compliance with non‐pharmacological diabetes management, the problems with daily glycaemic regulation persisted. Despite that, the patient displayed some improvement in postprandial glycaemic values that were evident after the six months follow‐up, even though the initial postprandial glycaemic peaks were suboptimal (peak postprandial glycaemia on admission and six months later were 15.0 and 13.0mmol/L, respectively). We observed a discrepancy between the actual five‐point glycaemic profile (suboptimal) and retrograde glycaemic control (optimal). This discrepancy led us to identify fructosamine as a preferable and more reliable marker of retrograde glycaemic control for cases that involve haemoglobinopathies and thalassaemia syndromes. After conventional insulinization of the patient improved five‐point glycaemic profile was registered (suboptimal but within the reasonable bounds) and optimal values of HbA1C and fructosamine. It seems that in the cases with a suboptimal glycaemic profile, both HbA1C and fructosamine are equally reliable markers of retrograde glycaemic control. It appears that fructosamine is a more reliable and competent marker of retrograde glycaemic control than HbA1C in cases of poor daily glycaemic control. Also, clinicians should be familiar with the commonly used HbA1C measurement methods, as well as measurement methods used alternatively.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The authors confirm that this article content has no conflict of interest.

AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONS

ZG, ML, VS, and JTJ contributed to the conception and design of the study, acquisition, and analysis of data, and drafting the article. MO, ME, VBB, and ERI contributed to drafting the article, revising article critically for relevant intellectual content and final approval of the version to be published.

Gluvic Z, Obradovic M, Lackovic M, et al. HbA1C as a marker of retrograde glycaemic control in diabetes patient with co‐existed beta‐thalassaemia: A case report and a literature review. J Clin Pharm Ther. 2020;45:379–383. 10.1111/jcpt.13073