<qa>  What is the mean amplitude of glycemic excursions?4. The mean amplitude of glycemic excursions MAGE quantifies the amplitude and duration of wide swings of BG values, diurnal variability of mean BG values, and episodes of hypoglycemia as an index of diabetic instability. MAGE is calculated by taking the arithmetic mean of the changes in BG when they exceed one standard deviation of the BG mean over the preceding 24-hour period. Excursions less than 1 standard deviation are ignored. MAGE is a valuable index of metabolic control in healthy and diabetic subjects Service 1970. MAGE averaged 42 mgdl in healthy subjects, 147 mgdl in type 1 diabetic patients treated with multiple injections of short-acting insulin, and 161 mgdl in type 1 diabetic patients treated with a single daily injection of intermediate-acting insulin. 