Autoantibodies in patients with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and in their first degree relatives

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of autoantibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase [GAD], insulin autoantibodies [IAA] and antibodies to IA2, main intracellular domain of tyrosine phosphatase in IDDM patients and their first degree relatives as a high risk group of the population. Serum samples were collected from 46 IDDM patients, 120 nondiabetic first degree relatives and 40 healthy volunteers. The results indicated that 12 IDDM patients had single autoantibody with the prevalence of GADA, IAAs and IA2A; while, six patients had combined autoantibodies [one patient had GADA+/DAA+, three patients had IA2A+/IAA+ and two patients had GADA+/IA2A+]. In conclusion, testing of antibodies for GAD, IA2 and IAA would provide a feasible and useful strategy for risk assessment of IDDM in high risk individuals

Assessment of gastroparesis in patients with liver cirrhosis

This study was done on 30 patients with established liver cirrhosis compared with 10 healthy age and sex matched individuals. To assess gastroparesis in those individuals, half gastric emptying time was measured ultrasonographically. It was significantly longer in patients than the controls. It also correlated to the severity of liver affection as it was significantly longer in Child-Pugh grade C cirrhotics than Child-Pugh grades A and B cirrhotics. Also, there was a significant longer 1/2 gastric emptying time in patients with ascites, esophageal varices or hepatic encephalopathy. Furthermore, cirrhotic patients with shrunken liver had significantly longer 1/2 gastric emptying time than those with average sized or enlarged liver. The 1/2 gastric emptying time was also correlated with dyspeptic symptoms