Evidence for a primary autoimmune type of diabetes mellitus. Issue 6147 (4th November 1978)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bottazzo, G F; Cudworth, A G; Moul, D J; Doniach, D; Festenstein, H
• Is Part Of: BMJ. Volume 2:Issue 6147(1978)
• Page Start: 1253
• Page End: 1255
• Publication Date: 1978-11-04
• Subjects: Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine; Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1136/bmj.2.6147.1253
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1447

Abstract

Abstract : Sixty-eight patients with longstanding diabetes and persistent islet-cell antibody and 35 with coexistent diabetes and Graves's disease or primary myxoedema were studied with particular reference to the HLA system and autoantibody patterns. A higher incidence of HLA-B8 than normal was observed in the two groups. An additive relative risk exists when type I diabetes and autoimmune thyroid disease coexist, indicating that different HLA-linked genes may confer susceptibility to the pancreatic and thyroid disorders. Other characteristics, including female predominance, a later onset of diabetes, and a strong family history of autoimmune endocrinopathy, provide further evidence that this form of diabetes is aetiologically distinct from that generally seen in children. These results support the hypothesis of a primary autoimmune type of diabetes mellitus.