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. The proportion of patients attending the Joint Clinic who achieved metabolic targets compared to the National Diabetes Audit for England was higher for glycemic control (73.0 Joint Diabetes Thalassaemia Clinic vs. 63.0% nationally), blood pressure control (58.0 Joint Diabetes Thalassaemia Clinic vs. 30.0% nationally) and cholesterol control (81.0 Joint Diabetes Thalassaemia Clinic vs. 78.0% nationally). Five patients (22.7%) had microvascular complications. A significant proportion of our patients had endocrinopathies (86.0% hypogonadism, 18.0% hypothyroidism, 23.0% hypoparathyroidism). The unique partnership of our Joint Diabetes Thalassaemia Clinic, allowed these very complex patients to be managed effectively.