Indicators of glucose dysregulation and the relationship with iron overload in Chinese children with beta thalassemia major

Introduction Patients with beta thalassemia major (TM) have a higher risk of diabetes and an abnormal oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), but there is no single agree monitoring parameter that reflects glycemic status. The possible mechanisms include iron overload and blood transfusion, but they require further investigation. Purpose This study explored the role of glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fructosamine, and glycated albumin (GA) in evaluating the glucose dysregulation and to determine the potential relationship between iron deposition and glucose metabolism disorder in beta TM. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed on 118 patients with beta TM and the control group consisted of 33 healthy children with no statistical differences in age, sex, and body mass index (BMI). Fast plasma glucose (FPG), fast insulin (FINS), insulin resistance index (HOMA-IRI), and insulin sensitivity index (HOMA-ISI) were compared between the patient and control groups. HbA1c, GA, fructosamine, and serum ferritin (SF) were measured in the patient group. OGTT, as well as heart and liver magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T2*, was performed. For all statistical analyses, SPSS 21.0 was used and p < 0.05 was accepted as statistically significant. Results FPG, FINS, and HOMA-IRI were significantly increased while HOMA-ISI decreased in the beta TM patients when compared with those in the control group. In patients with beta TM, 17 (14.41%) of patients had been diagnosed with diabetes, while 48 (40.68%) had both impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance. HbA1c, GA, and fructosamine were increased according to the degree of abnormal glucose metabolism. Statistically significant differences were found in age, SF, and cardiac T2* between the abnormal and normal OGTT groups. Conclusion HbA1c may be used as a significant measure for monitoring glycemic levels in patients with beta TM. Furthermore, GA and fructosamine were alternative indicators of glucose status. Patients with heart iron deposition or an SF > 4000 mu g/L were prone to abnormal glucose metabolism, so chelation therapy should be reinforced.

Automated summary

This study found that HbA1c could be used as a significant measure for monitoring glycemic levels in patients with beta TM, while GA and fructosamine were alternative indicators of glucose status. Patients with heart iron deposition or an SF > 4000 mu g/L were prone to abnormal glucose metabolism, suggesting the need for reinforcement of chelation therapy.