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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.
Tropical and Geographical Medicine
|July 1, 1988
Summary
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.