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

ABSTRACT

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