The prevalence of insulin resistance in patients with β -thalassemia major at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital

  • Caroline Mulawi
  • Bambang Tridjaja
  • Maria Abdulsalam
  • Zakiudin Munasir
Keywords: thalassemia, impaired glucose tolerance, diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance

Abstract

Background Diabetes mellitus is a common complication in pa-
tients with thalassemia major. Iron overload plays an important role
by damaging the pancreatic β-cell and the liver cell, with the con-
sequences of insulin deficiency and insulin resistance. Family his-
tory of diabetes mellitus is one of the critical factors for the devel-
opment of glucose metabolism derangement. However, the patho-
genesis of glucose metabolism derangement remains unclear.
Objective To evaluate the prevalence of impaired glucose toler-
ance, diabetes mellitus, and insulin resistance in patients with β-
thalassemia major treated in the Thalassemia Outpatient Clinic,
Department of Child Health, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital,
Jakarta.
Methods This was a descriptive cross sectional study conducted
in May 2002. Forty-eight subjects aged 10 to 18 years, grouped by
total volume of transfusions and family history of diabetes mellitus,
underwent an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), serum transfer-
rin saturation, and insulin level examinations. Insulin resistance
was calculated from fasting plasma glucose and insulin concen-
trations using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA).
Results One of 48 patients (2%) had impaired glucose tolerance
at the age of 17 years. Diabetes mellitus occurred in three of 48
patients (6%) at the age of 15.5 years in one patient and 18 years
in two patients. Family history of diabetes mellitus was found in 2
patients with diabetes mellitus and in the only one with impaired
glucose tolerance. Insulin resistance was not detected in this study.
Conclusion The prevalence of glucose metabolism derangement
in patients with thalassemia major was low. No insulin resistance
was found in this study

Author Biographies

Caroline Mulawi
Department of Child Health, Medical School, University of
Indonesia, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta.
Bambang Tridjaja
Department of Child Health, Medical School, University of
Indonesia, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta.
Maria Abdulsalam
Department of Child Health, Medical School, University of
Indonesia, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta.
Zakiudin Munasir
Department of Child Health, Medical School, University of
Indonesia, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta.

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Published
2016-09-24
How to Cite
1.
Mulawi C, Tridjaja B, Abdulsalam M, Munasir Z. The prevalence of insulin resistance in patients with β -thalassemia major at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital. PI [Internet]. 24Sep.2016 [cited 14Oct.2024];43(4):117-0. Available from: https://paediatricaindonesiana.org/index.php/paediatrica-indonesiana/article/view/673
Section
Articles
Received 2016-09-23
Accepted 2016-09-23
Published 2016-09-24