Glucose tolerance, insulin secretion and peripheral sensitivity in thalassaemia major.
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.
Arrigo
T
T
Institute of Pediatrics, University Hospital, Messina, Italy.
Crisafulli
G
G
Meo
A
A
Sturiale
M
M
Lombardo
F
F
Miceli
M
M
Cucinotta
D
D
De Luca
F
F
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*
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin