Abnormal Glucose Tolerance and Diabetes Mellitus in Thalassemic Patients with Transfusion Dependent at Ahwaz Thalassemia Research Center

Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and diabetes mellitus (DM) is a frequent complication in patient with  thalassemia. It is believed to be a consequence of damage inflicted by iron overload. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and glucose intolerance and its relation to predisposing factors. A total of 195 transfusion dependent β thalassemia patients > 5 years of age referring to Ahwaz Thalassemia Research Center were prospectively interviewed. For diagnosis of DM and IGT the ADA and WHO criteria was used. The prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance was19% (37 of 195) and that of diabetes was 16/4% (32 of 195). 37 patients (19%) had positive family history of diabetes.In patient with serum ferritin above or under 2000 μg/l diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance were found in 49% and 20.8%. We found that in patients with large liver and spleen size prone to glucose intolerance.The finding from this study showed that early and regular use of deferoxamine in β thalassemia patients with serum ferritin level above 2000 μg/l, liver and spleen enlargement and positive family history of diabetes, reduces the body iron burden and can help protect against diabetes mellitus.