Effect of anaemia and erythrocyte indices on canine glycated haemoglobin.

Background: The major fraction of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) depends on blood glucose concentration and erythrocyte lifespan, and consequently erythrocyte indices may affect HbA1c; our objective was to study this effect in dogs.

Methods: Blood samples from two (healthy and anaemic) age- and sex-matched, normoglycaemic populations were prospectively included. Advia 120 and Capillarys 2 flex-piercing were used for the haematological and HbA1c analyses, respectively.

Results: Lower mean HbA1c was found in dogs with regenerative (n = 8, 0.88 ± 0.58%) and non-regenerative anaemia (n = 12, 1.36 ± 0.56%) compared to healthy ones (n = 40, 1.68 ± 0.48%); the difference was significant (p < 0.001) between the healthy dogs and those with regenerative anaemia. HbA1c was significantly correlated (p < 0.05) with red blood cell count (r = 0.506), haemoglobin (r = 0.474), haematocrit (r = 0.467), mean corpuscular volume (r = -0.289), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (r = 0.284), red cell distribution width (r = -0.286) and reticulocytes (r = -0.542).

Conclusion: Anaemia, particularly if regenerative, can lower HbA1c. The significant correlation between HbA1c and erythrocyte indices likely reflects the effect of erythrocyte turnover on HbA1c.