Effects of Iron Deficiency Anaemia on HbA1c Levels in Non-Diabetics and Diabetics

Background: Iron deficiency anaemia is one of the most common anaemia striking in our country. The level up to which blood sugar level is regulated is measured by HbA1c. HbA1c represents sugar level in the blood for 120 days. HbA1c could be dependent upon an assemblage of factors like variants of haemoglobinopathies, haemolytic anaemia, other deficiency anaemia, acute loss of blood, uraemia, and pregnancy. Thus, it is crucial to determine the role of HbA1c in iron deficiency anemia in diabetics and non-diabetics before treating the patients.

Methods: Total of 58 articles were collected and based on our study objective total of 19 articles were included in this study. Iron deficiency anaemia, HbA1c, diabetics and non-diabetics has been added in pub med advanced searches and Google scholar. Original articles which compare the correlation between these two were taken. All the information was gathered from original and review articles. Articles which were qualified for review, their inclusion criteria, exclusion criteria, quality of assessment and data collections were taken into consideration. Structure of heme particle, basic mechanism of HbA1c formation in RBCs is elaborated. Review articles which were taken include RCT, retrospective analysis and observational studies. The results were all compared and concluded of each articles. Basic mechanism of formation of HbA1c in RBCs is shown. Also necessary conclusions were derived from each study.

Results: In a wide range of studies, HbA1c was found to be raised in IDA. After iron supplements, studies showed a decrease in HbA1c. Our study showed there is a need to correct anemia in diabetic patients before starting treatment.

Conclusions: Strict HbA1c control is not a prerequisite and prior anaemia correction should be done. Nevertheless, a study which will be conducted in representative population matching to the prevalence and incident of disease in our country also which should be interventional is required for the highest correction value of HbA1c in DM and NDM population.