[Continuous subcutaneous deferoxamine infusions in thalassemia major. Improvement in glucose tolerance]

Exocrine and endocrine pancreatic functions were studied in 30 patients with homozygotic beta-thalassaemia. All were treated with continuous subcutaneous deferoxamine infusions for a mean period of 30 months. Three patients (aged 18-22 years) had insulin-dependent diabetes, two before and one shortly after the onset of deferoxamine administration. There was no improvement during the treatment. An abnormal glucose tolerance test was demonstrated in 14 patients (47%) before and in seven (23%) during deferoxamine infusion. Enzyme activity of alpha-amylase and lipase as an expression of exocrine pancreatic function was normal in all during the observation period. Improvement in endocrine pancreatic function was apparently age-dependent: the younger the patient at the onset of treatment the more likely is normalization of the oral glucose tolerance test.