[HLA and endocrine diseases susceptibility in Georgian population]

A total of 137 patients from the Georgian population were examined, among them: I group--30 patients with diabetes mellitus type I, II group--64 patients with hyperthyroidism of Grave's disease and III group--43 patients with Cushing's disease. Antigens of A, B, C and D loci of the HLA system were determined in all patients. HLA DR 3 was determined in 43% patients with diabetes mellitus type 1. The relative risk (RR) in carriers of this antigen was 2,7 and HLA DR 4 in 47% patients of the same group with RR--4.7. In the group with Grave's disease HLA DR 3 was determined in 54% of patients, RR in carriers of this antigen was 4.4. In patients with Cushing's disease was determined HLA DR 3 and HLA DR 4 antigens with RR 3.7. At the same time decrease in the frequency of HLA DR 2 antigen was found in all groups of patients. The authors discussed the problem of the predisposing role of HLA DR 3 and DR 4 antigens in the development of these endocrine diseases in Georgian population and the "protective" role of the HLA DR 2 antigen.