Abnormal glucose homeostasis in patients of HbEβ-thalassemia: Prevalence and possible pathogenesis using the Oxford HOMA model

Objectives: Eβ-thalassemia, the most serious form of HbE syndromes, may develop pre-diabetes (PD) and diabetes mellitus (DM), together constituting abnormal glucose homeostasis (AGH) as an endocrinopathy. This study aims to assess AGH prevalence pathogenesis in this thalassemia subtype. Material Methods: A cross-sectional was conducted at a tertiary care hospital from February 2017 December 2018 (1.9 years). One hundred four HbEβ-thalassemia patients were randomly selected aged ≥5 years, irrespective transfusion requirement. diagnosed by American Diabetes Association criteria. The patient’s history, relevant examination details, parameters related studied. assessment (HOMA) model Oxford University used, formulae applied calculate HOMA-insulin resistance (IR) or HOMA-β (β-cell function). Results: status follows: Normal tolerance 83/104(79.8%), PD 20/104(19.2%), DM one(1%). age, age starting transfusions, HOMA-IR significantly AGH. inversely associated with chelation, though not significant ( P = 0.07). There no statistical significance development, dependence 0.63), family history 0.42), hepatitis C 0.36), higher ferritin levels (800/1000/1500/1700 ng/ml) > 0.5)/HOMA-β 0.5). Conclusion: are prone including overt diabetes. It is initiation, duration therapy. likely mechanism IR, pancreatic β-cell destruction also be contributory.