Effectiveness and Safety of Sitagliptin in Patients with Beta-thalassaemia Major and Diabetes Mellitus: A Case Series.

Sitagliptin, a modern antidiabetic agent which is weight neutral and associated with low rate of hypoglycaemias, is being increasingly used in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). However, there is a paucity of data about its efficacy and safety in beta-thalassaemia major (β-TM). This retrospective case series of five patients (mean age of 45 years) is the first study evaluating the use of sitagliptin in patients with β-TM and DM.

Prevalence of low bone mass and vitamin D deficiency in β-thalassemia major.

Low bone mass, a major cause of morbidity in patients with β-thalassemia major (β-TM), is multifactorial. There is lack of data about the current prevalence of low bone mass in patients with β-TM. The aims of this study are to examine the current prevalence of low bone mass in β-TM patients and the association between demographic characteristics, markers of iron overload, endocrinopathies, glycemic status and bone mineral density (BMD) as well as to study the 25-OH-vitamin D status of the patients and its relationship with BMD.

Joint diabetes thalassaemia clinic: an effective new model of care.

Diabetes is a significant complication of β-thalassemia major (β-TM) and most patients receive fragmented diabetes care. In 2005, we developed a unique Joint Diabetes Thalassaemia Clinic, based at the Department of Diabetes, Whittington Health, London, UK, where patients were reviewed jointly by a multidisciplinary team, including Consultant Diabetologist and Hematologist. Study of the Joint Diabetes Thalassaemia Clinic (2005-2009) showed improvement in glycemic control with fructosamine reduction from 344 umol/L to 319 umol/L over a 1-year period as well as improvement in lipid profiles.