Evaluation of Continuous Blood Glucose Monitoring Method for Detection of Alterations in Glucose Homeostasis in Beta Thalassemia Patients

β-thalassemia is a worldwide distributed monogenic red cell disorder, characterized by the absence or reduced β-globin chain synthesis (De Franceschi et al.,2013).

Approximately 7% of the global population is carrier of such disorders, and 300,000-400,000 babies with severe forms of these diseases are born each year (Weatherall, 2005; Modell et al., 2008). Severe hereditary hemoglobin disorders of red cells occur at highest frequency in tropical regions.

Hemoglobinopathies constitute the single most common monogenic defect worldwide, and among hemoglobin disorders, the thalassemias prominently contribute to (Weatherall et al., 2001; de Franceschi et al., 2011). β-thalassemias (β-thal) are characterized by the presence of mutations on beta-globin gene resulting in the absence or reduced synthesis of β-globin chains.

Glucose metabolism disturbances, among other endocrinopathies, are a common feature of β -thalassaemia . Pancreatic iron overload and diabetes mellitus (DM) are common in thalassemia major patients. However, the relationship between iron stores and glucose disturbances is not well defined (Leila et al., 2012).

The etiology of DM in β -thalassemia is suggested to be due to the effect of iron overload on the different tissues controlling the carbohydrate homeostatic mechanisms; including the pancreas and liver. However, controversy about the etiology of this glycemic abnormality still exists (Weinberg 2007).