Abstract
Reference intervals for plasma glucose and glycosylated haemoglobin A 1 (HbA1) have been established in a Zimbabwean population aged 19–65 years. The subjects were a volunteer group of 777 people (440 male and 337 female). There was no significant difference in the glucose levels between men and women and the range was 2·58–5·62 mmol/L. There was, however, a significant difference in the HbA1 levels between men and women (P < 0·001); the ranges found were: men, 4·86–9·78%; women, 4·30–8·22%. On comparison between HbA1 in the Zimbabwean population and published results a statistically significant difference was observed (P > 0·002). This study highlights the importance of determining reference intervals for each sex and ethnic group.