Epidemiology and chelation therapy effects on glucose homeostasis in thalassaemic patients

The incidence and prevalence of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) were studied in a series of 273 patien ts with thalassaemia major followed in Ferrara from 1954 to 1998. It was fo und that the prevalence of glucose metabolism abnormalities has decreased a nd that the mean age of diagnosis has increased over the years. Risk factor s associated with IDDM and IGT were lack of compliance with chelation thera py, iron overload and the presence of cirrhosis and severe fibrosis.