A Cross-Sectional Study of Glycemic Status and Zinc Level in Patients With Beta-Thalassemia Major

Background: endocrinopathies and diabetes mellitus are prevalent in patients with beta-thalassemia major recently some studies demonstrate a link between low levels of serum zinc level and higher prevalence of diabetes. the aim of this study was to evaluate the glucose tolerance in patients suffered from beta-thalassemia major and determine the association of homeostasis model assessment (homa) parameters with zinc status among these patients. materials and methods: in this cross sectional study,clinical data of patients who were suffered from thalassemia major,aged≥10 years were collected. serum ferritin concentration,fasting blood sugar,fasting blood insulin and serum zinc level were assessed after overnight fasting. moreover,oral glucose tolerance test was performed. homeostasis model assessment (homa-2) was used for calculating beta-cell function,insulin resistance and sensitivity for normoglycemic and pre-diabetic subjects. results: of the 163 patients diagnosed with beta-thalassemia major,10%,53% and 37% were diabetic,pre-diabetic and normal,respectively. mean serum zinc concentration was equal to 18.90±10.93μg/dl,and it was not significantly different across diabetic,pre-diabetic and normal groups. pre-diabetic patients had significantly lower beta-cell function compared to normal subjects (p=0.0001). an inverse relation was documented between beta-cell function on one hand and total units of blood transfusion and ferritin level on the other hand (r=-0.29,p=0.004 and r=-0.27,p=0.03,respectively). the analysis adjusted for multiple possible confounders showed that there is no significant association between homa parameters and serum zinc level. conclusion: impaired glucose metabolism and low serum zinc level were quite common among our study participants. the findings of the study also signifies the substantial role of follow-up in early detection and appropriate treatment. © 2017 international journal of hematology-oncology and stem cell research,all right reserved.