Professionals - A1CNow+® Overview

Clinical Performance FAQs

1. Is the A1CNow+® accurate?

Accuracy refers to the closeness of agreement between the measured value and the "true" value. Accuracy studies were conducted with 189 diabetic and non-diabetic subjects across three US sites. Fingerstick sampling was performed on each subject for testing with A1CNow+, and venous blood was collected from each subject for comparative testing using an NGSP-certified method. A1CNow+ results were compared to the NGSP reference results. The A1C results ranged from 5.0 %A1C to 12.8 %A1C, with a mean of 7.3 %A1C (reference results). Data analysis consisted of least squares linear regression (x = reference results), bias calculation, and Bland Altman limits. The data are provided below.[1]

The results showed that the accuracy of A1CNow+, with fingerstick samples was, on average, 99%. This means that, on average, a true 7 %A1C could read approximately 6.9 %A1C. An individual A1CNow+ result may differ by as much as -1.0 %A1C to +0.8 %A1C from the true result. This represents the 95% confidence limits of a Bland-Altman plot. [2]

The results showed that the accuracy with venous sampling was, on average, 99.7%. An individual result may differ by -0.8 %A1C to +0.7 %A1C from the true result. This represents the 95% confidence limits of the Bland-Altman plot. A1CNow+ may be used with either fingerstick (capillary) or venous (heparin-anticoagulated) whole blood samples.[1]

2. Is the A1CNow+ precise?

Precision is the quality of being repeatable in amount or performance. Precision of a test is observed when measurement of a sample has nearly the same value each time it is measured. Precision testing was done under a specialized protocol. Following this protocol, two whole blood samples, one of approximately 6 %A1C (low), and one of approximately 9 %A1C (high), were tested over 20 days and four runs per day, for a total of 80 assays per level. The overall imprecision (including within-day and between-day) was 3.00% CV at the low level and 4.02% CV at the high level.[1]

3. What is the National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program (NGSP) certification?

The NGSP standardizes glycated hemoglobin test results so that clinical laboratory results are comparable to those reported in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) where relationships to mean blood glucose and risk for vascular complications have been established. A key component of the program is the Reference Laboratory Network. The network interacts with manufacturers of glycohemoglobin methods to assist them first in standardizing their methods and then in providing comparison data for certification of traceability to the DCCT.

4. How does an A1C testing method become NGSP certified?

The NGSP certification process includes the exchange of 40 patient blood samples and a method comparison analysis. A certificate of traceability to the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) Reference Method is issued to any manufacturer or laboratory that successfully completes the certification process. The certificate is effective for 1 year and is specific to the reagents and instrumentation used during certification. The process consists of a 40 sample comparison with a Secondary Reference Laboratory (SRL). In order for a commercial method to be considered traceable to the Central Primary Reference Laboratory, the 95% CI of the differences between methods (test method and SRL method) must fall within the limits of ±0.75% A1C. Effective 9/1/2012, the NGSP certification requirements have been significantly tightened and 37 of 40 results must be within +/- 7% (relative) of the reference (true) value when measured in the 4-10 % A1C range. The new NGSP criteria applies to methods annually certified after 9/1/2012, and will thus apply to all certified methods by 9/1/2013. Changes in NGSP criteria generally require a 1 year roll over period for currently certified methods.

5. Why do I see differences in A1C results when using multiple A1C devices?

There will always be differences between multiple test results due to normal variation, time between tests, and differences between methods. In fact, duplicate test results from the same patient will rarely match even when the test is performed using the same method at the same time. Differences can sometimes appear greater because one result could be slightly higher and the other could be slightly lower than the reference (true) value. Positive and negative biases are often present in all of the most frequently used A1C testing methods. Multiple A1C methods should not be used to evaluate a single patient or the performance of an A1C testing device because large and sometimes unacceptable inter-method differences are possible when multiple A1C testing devices are used for an individual patient.[2]

6. Why do I sometimes see differences in A1C results of the same blood sample when tested on the same A1C device?

There will always be differences between multiple test results due to normal variation, time between tests and differences between methods. In fact, duplicate test results from the same patient will rarely match even when the test is performed by the same method at the same time. Differences can sometimes appear greater because one result could be slightly higher and the other could be slightly lower than the reference (true) value.

7. What are hemoglobin variants?

Quick Facts: Hemoglobin Variants (pdf)
Sickle Cell Trait and Other Hemoglobinopathies and Diabetes: Important Information for Physicians (National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse)