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Concurrent sickle cell disease and diabetes mellitus
H L Reid1, D P Photiades, J M Oli
1Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, College of Medical Sciences, University of Benin, Nigeria.
Insights
Researchers investigated if sickle cell disease protects against diabetes mellitus in Nigerians. They found no cases of co-existing sickle cell disease and diabetes, suggesting a very low prevalence of diabetes in sickle cell patients.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Endocrinology
- Genetics
Background:
- Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a common genetic disorder in Nigeria.
- Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a significant public health concern.
- A hypothesis suggested that glycosylation of sickle hemoglobin (HbS) might offer protection against DM.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the co-existence of sickle cell disease and diabetes mellitus in a Nigerian population.
- To test the hypothesis that SCD may protect against the development of DM.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective search for documented cases of co-existing sickle cell disease (HbSS) and diabetes mellitus in Nigerian patients.
- Epidemiological data analysis to determine prevalence rates.
Main Results:
- No cases of individuals with both sickle cell disease (HbSS) and diabetes mellitus were found.
- The study indicates an extremely low prevalence of diabetes mellitus among sickle cell anaemia subjects in Nigeria.
Conclusions:
- The co-existence of sickle cell disease and diabetes mellitus appears to be rare in Nigerians.
- The hypothesis regarding protective glycosylation of HbS could not be tested due to the low prevalence.
- Further research is needed to understand the interaction between SCD and DM.
Abstract:
In an attempt to test our hypothesis that a child with sickle cell disease who developed diabetes mellitus early enough, could pass through the various stages of life undetected due to the protection offered by the glycosylation of sickle Hb, we have searched for evidence of the co-existence of the two diseases in Nigerians. We were, however, unable to find any HbSS-diabetic. This study, therefore, shows the extremely low prevalence rate of diabetes mellitus in sickle-cell anaemia subjects, which makes it difficult for us to test our hypothesis.