A Patient with Diabetes Who Lacked Hb A1c

AACC is pleased to present a fascinating webinar focused around a challenging case study of a patient with diabetes who lacked HbA1c.

The June 24 webinar features faculty host William E. Winter, MD, a professor of pathology at the University of Florida in Gainesville, and guest expert Desmond A. Schatz, MD, professor of pediatrics at the University of Florida and the 2016 president of the American Diabetes Association.

Using a case-based approach, the two will discuss the strengths and weaknesses of various HbA1c testing methods, pre-analytical factors affecting these measurements, and the current uses of Hb A1c testing in clinical medicine.

Activities begin June 20, 4 days prior to the webinar’s airing date, with the daily unveiling of the case’s details. Registrants will be able to review and discuss the case online using the chat, question-and-answer, and quiz functions of AACC’s learning management system. More data will be revealed each day as the case evolves.

It is important that participants take advantage of the pre-webinar activities, Winter told CLN Stat. “The actual webinar won’t review all the material presented in the first four days,” he said. “It’s not nearly enough time to cover everything that’s important about HbA1c.” Engaging in the pre-webinar activities, he added, will improve participants’ experience with the live webinar.

The live webinar will feature an interactive question-and-answer session between Winter and Schatz. Winter will review the case, then ask Schatz a variety of questions on issues that arise concerning HbA1c testing.

“We will talk not only about the uses of HbA1c testing, but also about analytical and biological issues that affect the results,” Winter explained. “Participants should be aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the technologies used when physicians order an HbA1c.”

For instance, in patients with a shortened red blood cell lifespan, HbA1c results can be negatively biased. “We need to make sure laboratorians and practitioners are aware of this,” he said, particularly since current ranges assume the patient has no red cell problems such as hemoglobinopathies.

Register online to participate in this engaging new webinar format and earn 3.0 ACCENT credits.