Introduction: Globally, the most prevalent hereditary hemoglobinopathy is thalassemia. Diabetes mellitus is a prevalent endocrine consequence in patients with thalassemia major, affecting 20-30% of patients

Objective: To determine the frequency of diabetes mellitus in thalassemia major patients presenting at tertiary care hospital

Methodology: Study design was descriptive cross sectional, conducted at Department of Hematology, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar for duration of six months from 13 January 2020 to 13 July 2020. In the current study a total of 193 patients presenting with thalassemia major were observed. Blood samples were taken and sent to hospital laboratory for the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. All the collected information were entered and analyzed in statistical software SPSS version 22.  

Results: Among 193 participants, 133(69%) patients were in age group 5-11 years, 60(31%) patients were in age group 12-18 years with mean age of 7 years and SD of ± 4.86. Gender distribution was analyzed as 108(56%) patients were male while 85(44%) patients were female. Based on frequency of diabetes mellitus, 10(5%) patients were observed as diabetic while diabetes mellitus was not observed in 183(95%) patients of thalassemia.

Conclusion: Our study concludes that the frequency of diabetes mellitus was high in thalassemia major patients in our population. In order to minimize endocrine disorders in Pakistan, there is a need of new policies and management strategies.