EPIDEMIOLOGY OF ISLET CELL ANTIBODIES

摘要: In spite of the potential assay problems, a relatively clear general picture concerning islet cell antibodies has emerged. They are undoubtedly most potent indicator risk for insulin-dependent diabetes, at least among high-risk persons (that is, first-degree relatives diabetics). Islet have been focus intense research scrutiny over last decade, yet their etiologic role remains unclear. patients with there is no striking relation onset between and determinants such as age HLA type. Certain characteristics, however, may be related to autoimmunity in more complex way. There appears some racial difference onset-related antibody prevalence other autoimmunity. The observation that autoimmune abnormalities frequent women diabetics leads question whether an interaction sex diabetes. group early-onset patients, distinguished by persistent or coexistent phenomena, who predominantly female. At present, only limited evidence this literature: Bottazzo et al. found juvenile were often Female shown increased thyroid autoantibodies compared male diabetics. Several observations differences based on emerged from recent studies diabetes: 1) HLA-DR4 antigen female diabetic patients; 2) HLA-identical siblings lowered insulin response glucose administered intravenously; 3) areas low diabetes incidence, patterns differ markedly sexes. These sex-specific help clarify sex. Among nondiabetic persons, those having highest genetic "risk" disease appear antibodies. also indication HLA-DR3 associated Other diseases, notably gestational non-insulin-dependent certain endocrinopathies, An increase occurs viral infections, particularly mumps congenital rubella. noted sera subjects many years before well normoglycemic relatives.