Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency and diabetes mellitus.

This hospital-based study demonstrates a statistically significant higher prevalence of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency among the Saudi patients with diabetes mellitus (12.4%) as compared to healthy population controls (2.0%) (p less than 0.008). The nature of this association is difficult to explain. In view of a higher frequency of G6PD deficiency among diabetics, it is suggested that all patients with diabetes be screened for this enzymopathy in order to avoid the use of certain drugs or toxic agents that can produce hemolysis.