False HbA1c Value Due to a Rare Hemoglobin Variant
Author Information
Author(s): Lepe Balsalobre Esperanza, Varo Sánchez Gema María, Rico Rodríguez Marta, Fuentes Cantero Sandra
Primary Institution: Department of Laboratory Service, Área de Gestión Sanitaria Norte de Huelva, Hospital de Riotinto, Minas de Riotinto, Huelva, Spain
Hypothesis
Can a rare hemoglobin variant affect HbA1c analysis results?
Conclusion
The Hb Petie Salpetriere variant can interfere with HbA1c analysis through ion-exchange HPLC but not with latex agglutination immunoassay.
Supporting Evidence
- The patient had hypertension and dyslipidemia but no symptoms of diabetes.
- Discordant HbA1c results were obtained using different testing methods.
- The variant hemoglobin was identified through DNA sequencing.
Takeaway
A patient had a false high HbA1c reading because of a rare hemoglobin variant, which shows that some blood tests can be misleading.
Methodology
HbA1c was measured using cation exchange HPLC and an immunoassay point-of-care analyzer, with further characterization by DNA sequencing.
Limitations
Only one case is reported, limiting generalizability.
Participant Demographics
78 years-old Spanish male patient.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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