Automation, Evaluation The Laboratory Performance And Clinical Usefullness Of A Low Cost Fructosamine Assay

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to optimise and automate a low cost fructosamine assay and then to investigate the relationship between serum fructosamine levels and long-term complications. METHODS: Serum fructosamine and HbA1c were measured in non-diabetic controls (n = 146) with a mean age of 60 ± 20 and diabetic subjects (n = 353) with a mean age of 61 ± 11. The optimization of fructosamine analysis by nitrobluetetrazolium method requires the optimal solubility of diformazan and mathematical correction of uric acid interferance. The within-day imprecision and between-day imprecision of the automated method were 0.7% (n=10) and 2.5% (n=10) respectively. RESULTS: Mean fructosamine concentrations were significantly increased in DM (342 ± 74 μmol/L) compared with control group (270 ± 47 μmol/L) (p <0.01). This cross-sectional study suggested that fructosamine concentration was not related to long-term complications of DM (p >0.05). However, since it is highly correlated with HbA1c (r = 0.817, p <0.01). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Fructosamine test may be a useful laboratory parameter for monitoring glycemia also being an inexpensive, appropriate for automation and relatively simple test. Thus prospective studies are necessary to determine the relationship between fructosamine levels and long-term complications