Combined analysis of long-term anti-beta-cell humoral reactivity in type 1 diabetes with and without thyroid disease.
The prevalence and levels of islet-cell antibodies (ICA) decrease in the years following diabetes onset but may persist, particularly in patients with concomitant autoimmune disease. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the frequencies, associations and levels of the major anti-beta-cell antibodies in long-standing diabetic patients (median duration: 14 years; range 5-47 years) with and without autoimmune thyroid disease (ATD) in order to consider the specific antipancreatic immunologic features associated with endocrine autoimmunity. Both ICA and glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) antibody (GAD-A) frequencies were increased in diabetic patients with ATD (38 vs 23%, p = 0.03 and 70 vs 21%, p < 10(-4) respectively). Although IA2-A frequency tended to be higher in diabetic patients with ATD, no significant difference was seen (37 vs 26%, p = 0.14). GAD median level was significantly higher in the diabetic group with ATD (15 vs 5 units, p < 10(-4)). IA2-A and ICA median levels were similar in both groups. Regardless of the combined analysis performed (ICA/GAD-A, ICA/IA2-A or GAD-A/IA2-A), the prevalence of combined antibody positivity was higher in diabetic patients with than without ATD. In both diabetic populations, ICA and GA-DA were significantly associated (p < 10(-4), and their levels were correlated (r = 0.42, p < 10(-4) and r = 0.584, p < 10(-4) respectively). No significant correlation was seen between IA2-A levels and either ICA or GAD-A titres. It is concluded that Type 1 diabetes mellitus with ATD is characterised by increased persistent humoral islet-related reactivity, particularly directed towards GAD.
Maugendre
D
D
Clinique de Diabétologie-Endocrinologie, CHU, Hôpital Sud, Rennes, France.
Sonnet
E
E
Derrien
C
C
Le Golff
M C
MC
Grais
M C
MC
Allannic
H
H
Delamaire
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000276:immunology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005968:Glutamate Decarboxylase / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*
D001323:Autoantibodies; D001324:Autoantigens; D005968:Glutamate Decarboxylase