Prevalence Of Diabetes Mellitus In Transfusion Dependent

Beta-thalassemia are a heterogenous group of autosomal recessive disorders that result from reduced or absent production of beta-globin chain making up the hemoglobin tetramer (α2 β2) .While diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by hyperglycemia . Several pathogenic processes are involved in the development of diabetes. These range from autoimmune destruction of the β-cells of the pancreas with consequently insulin deficiency to abnormalities that result in resistance to insulin action.Beta-thalassemia patients characterized by iron overload , excess iron is deposited in most tissues, but the bulk is found in reticulo-endothelial cells, where it is relatively harmless .The endocrine disorders commonly associated with thalassemia are generally through to be secondary to the effect of chronic iron loading. So, when iron overload becomes marked pancreatic insufficiency and diabetes are the complications of β–thalassemia .The mechanism of abnormal glucose homeostasis in patients with β-thalassemia major is still unknown but is attributed mainly to insulin deficiency resulting from the toxic effects of iron deposited in the pancreas and from insulin resistance .