THE FREQUENCY AND CLINICAL SPECTRUM OF GLUCOSE DYSREGULATION IN BETA THALASSEMIA

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency and clinical spectrum of glucose dysregulation in patients with beta thalassemia and to evaluate its association with clinical and transfusion-related factors. Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, University of Child Health Sciences, The Children’s Hospital, Lahore, from January 2026 to June 2026. Methodology: A total of 50 patients with confirmed beta thalassemia, aged 10 years or above and receiving regular blood transfusions for at least five years, were included. Demographic and clinical characteristics, transfusion history, chelation therapy, anthropometric measurements, serum ferritin, fasting plasma glucose, oral glucose tolerance test values, and HbA1c were recorded. Data were analysed using SPSS version 25.0. Results: The mean age of the patients was 13.14 ± 1.47 years, and 28 (56.0%) were males. Glucose dysregulation was identified in 15 (30.0%) patients. Impaired fasting glucose was present in 5 (10.0%), impaired glucose tolerance in 4 (8.0%), diabetes mellitus in 3 (6.0%), and indeterminate glucose abnormality in 3 (6.0%) patients. Median serum ferritin was significantly higher in patients with glucose dysregulation than in those with normal glucose regulation, 5275 versus 4514 ng/mL (p=0.031). Median annual transfusion frequency was also higher in the dysregulation group, 18 versus 14 transfusions per year (p=0.009). Conclusion: Glucose dysregulation was present in nearly one-third of patients with beta thalassemia and ranged from impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance to overt diabetes mellitus.