Which method for long-term diabetic monitoring is recommended for patients with sickle cell anemia?

The fructosamine test is a valuable method for long-term diabetic monitoring in patients with sickle cell anemia because it measures the average blood glucose levels over the past 2 to 3 weeks, providing information about glucose control within a short-term timeframe. This is particularly useful for patients with hemoglobinopathies, such as sickle cell anemia, where the presence of abnormal hemoglobin can interfere with the accuracy of the glycated hemoglobin test (A). The glycated hemoglobin test reflects glucose control over a longer period (approximately 2 to 3 months), but in individuals with sickle cell anemia, the altered red blood cell lifespan can lead to misleading results due to the hemoglobin's modification.

Fasting blood glucose (C) provides a snapshot of the blood glucose level at a single point in time and lacks the temporal context needed for assessing long-term control. Continuous glucose monitoring (D) is beneficial for real-time glucose tracking but does not specifically substitute for longer-term averages. Therefore, fructosamine is the most suitable option for monitoring diabetes in patients with sickle cell anemia, as it avoids the confounding variables presented by abnormal hemoglobin types.