Assessment of Glycemic Control by Continuous Glucose Monitoring, Hemoglobin A_1c, Fructosamine, and Glycated Albumin in Patients With End-Stage Kidney Disease and Burnt-Out Diabetes

OBJECTIVE Patients with diabetes and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) may experience “burntout diabetes,” defined as having an HbA_1c value <6.5% without antidiabetic therapy for >6 months. We aim to assess glycemic control by continuous glucose monitoring (Dexcom G6 CGM) metrics and glycemic markers in ESKD patients on hemodialysis with burnt-out diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS In this pilot prospective study, glycemic control was assessed by continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), HbA_1c measures, and glycated albumin and fructosamine measurements in patients with burnt-out diabetes (n = 20) and without a history of diabetes (n = 20). RESULTS Patients with burnt-out diabetes had higher CGM-measured daily glucose levels, lower percent time in the range 70–180 mg/dL, higher percent time above range (>250 mg/dL), and longer duration of hyperglycemia >180 mg/dL (hours/day) compared with patients without diabetes (all P < 0.01). HbA_1c and fructosamine levels were similar; however, patients with burnt-out diabetes had higher levels of glycated albumin than did patients without diabetes. CONCLUSIONS The use of CGM demonstrated that patients with burnt-out diabetes have significant undiagnosed hyperglycemia. CGM and glycated albumin provide better assessment of glycemic control than do values of HbA_1c and fructosamine in patients with ESKD.