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A Transverse and Longitudinal Study of Pancreatic Function and Glucose Tolerance in Thalassemic Patients

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Endocrine Disorders in Thalassemia

Abstract

Poly transfused thalassemia major (Th) patients show a high prevalence (frequently reported > 50%) of impairment of β-pancreatic function (PF) and of overt diabetes mellitus (10–25%). The impairment of liver function, the hyperinsulinemia following insulin resistance, the hyperglucagonemia, the β-pancreas exhaustion, the genetic predisposition, and the increased frequency of viral infections could play a role in the pathogenesis of the PF derangement [1–7]. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus has been reported to be lower in regularly (16%) than in irregularly (23%) ironchelated Th patients [7]. In this retrospective transverse and longitudinal study we have evaluated the effect of the improvement of chelation and transfusion protocols on the prevalence of PF and of impaired glucose tolerance (GT) in Th patients.

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© 1995 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Cavallo, L. et al. (1995). A Transverse and Longitudinal Study of Pancreatic Function and Glucose Tolerance in Thalassemic Patients. In: Andò, S., Brancati, C. (eds) Endocrine Disorders in Thalassemia. Springer, Milano. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-2183-9_28

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-2183-9_28

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Milano

  • Print ISBN: 978-88-470-2185-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-88-470-2183-9

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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