* Why is it necessary to monitor glycated hemoglobin?

Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is the most important indicator reflecting the status of blood sugar control and is the “gold standard” for measuring blood sugar control. A decrease in HbA1c level is closely related to the reduction of microvascular complications in diabetic patients. A decrease from 10% to 9% in HbA1c level has a greater impact on reducing the risk of complications than a decrease from 7% to 6%. The results of the UK Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) show that for every 1% decrease in HbA1c, the risk of all diabetes-related endpoints and diabetes-related mortality decreases by 21% (P<0.01), the risk of myocardial infarction decreases by 14% (P<0.01), and the risk of microvascular complications decreases by 37% (P<0.01).

* Control standards for glycosylated hemoglobin

The control target for glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) should follow an individualized principle. For T2DM patients who are younger, have a shorter disease course, have a longer expected lifespan, have no complications, and no cardiovascular diseases, and without hypoglycemia or other adverse reactions, a more strict HbA1c control target (such as <6.5%, or even as close to normal as possible) can be adopted. For older patients, those with a longer disease course, a history of severe hypoglycemia, a shorter expected lifespan, significant microvascular or macrovascular complications, or severe comorbidities, a relatively lenient HbA1c target can be set. It is recommended that the control target for HbA1c for most non-pregnant adult T2DM patients be <7%.

* Recommended frequency of glycosylated hemoglobin monitoring

It is recommended to conduct a test every 3 months at the beginning of treatment. Once the treatment goal is achieved, the test can be conducted every 6 months.