title: Glucose tolerance, insulin secretion and peripheral sensitivity in thalassaemia major.
abstract: Glyco-metabolic status was evaluated in 29 pubertal homozygous thalassaemics aged from 17 to 42 years and in 12 age-matched healthy subjects. Diagnosis of diabetes mellitus was assessed in 4 patients (13.8%), who became diabetic after the age of 18 years. With respect to controls non-diabetic patients exhibited significantly higher fasting plasma glucose levels and more sustained glycemic responses to oral glucose tolerance test, whereas their overall insulin output was significantly lower. Moreover non-diabetic thalassaemic patients showed a clear reduction of both beta-cell function and insulin resistance indices (HOMA model). In conclusion our data show a high prevalence of diabetes but do not support the existence of an insulin resistant status in thalassaemia major, at least in adulthood.
authors: Institute of Pediatrics, University Hospital, Messina, Italy.
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Arrigo
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Crisafulli
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Meo
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Sturiale
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Lombardo
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Miceli
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Cucinotta
authors: F
authors: F
authors: De Luca
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism*; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D000078790:Insulin Secretion; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin