HIGH PREVALENCE OF GENETIC HEMOCHROMATOSIS AMONG TYPE-II DIABETIC SUBJECTS

The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of genetic haem ochromatosis (GH) in Type II diabetic patients attending a Diabetic Cl inic through a prospective study. The sample was taken at random. Seru m ferritin and transferrin saturation were used as screening tests of iron overload. In patients in whom haemochromatosis was the possible d iagnosis a liver biopsy was performed, together with the determination of the hepatic tissue iron index. Of 184 diabetic subjects selected f or this study, one of them was diagnosed with GH two years before the start of this study. Nine patients had biochemical findings of iron ov erload. One of these nine patients was diagnosed with GH by liver biop sy. Another patient was diagnosed by clinical, laboratory and genetic criteria. We observed a high prevalence rate (16.3 per 1000) of GH amo ng type II diabetic population, confirming an earlier report from Aust ralia. Due to early diagnosis and treatment of GH, life expectancy is normal. Our findings draw the attention of diabetologists to the impor tance of diagnosing GH as soon as possible.