Characterization of the "Transfusion-dependent Prediabetes" Using Continuous Glucose Monitoring: the Hemoglycare Study

The selection of patients took place randomly among adult patients suffering from transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT) belonging to the Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Unit of the AOU University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli". Patients had a history of at least 10 years of therapy with red blood cell transfusions (transfusion frequency less than one months) and iron chelation therapy. Cases tested negative for diabetes mellitus screening tests (fasting glycemia, OGTT).

Some healthy volunteers were also recruited among medical resident and doctors. Major eligibility criteria for the volunteers were: caucasian; age ≥18 years; body mass index <25.0 kg/m2; no chronic illness or medications that might affect glucose metabolism; fasting glycemia<100 mg/dl; HbA1c <5.7% (39 mmol/mol); no positive islet autoantibodies; HOMA-IR <2.5. Female participants pregnant at the time of study enrollment were not eligible.

All procedures performed in this study were approved by the Institutional Research Committee of the University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli". All participants have provided written consent.

Demographic and Clinical characteristics A brief schedule was specifically designed and completed by clinicians (diabetologists or hematologists) to record demographic and clinical data, including age, gender, height, weight, duration of illness, and other medical conditions (family history of diabetes, endocrine disorders, cigarette smoking habit). Finally, the HOMA-IR was calculated as a parameter for evaluating insulin resistance. Possible missing data was obtained by reviewing medical charts

Study design