Red cell HbA1c, reticulocytes and sialic acid
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigation of relationships between red cell HbA1c, reticulocyte counts and sialic acid levels.
IRAS ID
163355
Contact name
Mark A Vickers
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
It has been claimed that:
(1) poorly controlled diabetic patients, as judged by high HbA1c levels, have low red blood sialic acid levels and high young red cell (reticulocyte) counts, and
(2) red cell sialic acid levels decrease with age.As part of another study, we have demonstrated a mechanism that might explain these results. However, the previous reports studied only relatively low numbers of patients and we have doubts about some technical aspects of the published studies. We therefore wish to see if we if we can replicate and extend the data. We will measure HbA1c levels and reticulocyte counts in up to 500 individuals, sialic acid levels in a subset of these, and red cell sialic acid levels in a further 100 individuals. We will analyse only samples that are to be discarded after having full blood counts performed in the diagnostic clinical haematology laboratory.
REC name
West Midlands - South Birmingham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/WM/0430
Date of REC Opinion
18 Nov 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion