Glycated Haemoglobin and Long-Term Glycaemic Control in Diabetic Patients in Cross River State

Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) is the gold standard for monitoring long-term glycaemic control in diabetes mellitus management. This study evaluates HbA1c levels and their correlation with fasting blood glucose in diabetic patients attending the endocrinology clinic of a government hospital in Cross River State, South South Nigeria. A cross-sectional design was adopted, recruiting 180 patients with established diabetes mellitus who had been on treatment for at least six months. HbA1c was determined by ion-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography, and fasting blood glucose was measured using the glucose oxidase method. Data on diabetes duration, medication adherence, dietary practices, and complication status were collected. The study also compares glycaemic control between insulin-treated and non-insulin-treated patients. A significant proportion of participants are expected to have poor glycaemic control based on an HbA1c threshold of 7.0 percent. The study highlights barriers to optimal glycaemic management in a South South Nigerian context, including affordability of insulin, access to HbA1c testing, and dietary challenges. Recommendations for strengthening diabetic care services in Cross River State are discussed. Keywords: HbA1c, glycaemic control, diabetes mellitus, fasting glucose, Cross River State.