[The HLA system in diabetes mellitus]

The frequency of HLA antigens incidence with due consideration for diabetes type and age of the patient by the disease onset was studied and the index of the relative risk of diabetes development was calculated. In patients with type I diabetes mellitus, a significant increase of B18 antigen incidence and decrease of B7 antigen incidence were observed, as compared to the controls. No association with HLA antigens were detected in type II diabetes. No differences in HLA antigen incidence in type I diabetes mellitus patients who fell ill before 30 and those who fell ill after 30 years of age were recorded. The index of relative risk of the disease development in patients with type I diabetes is higher in the presence of B18 and lower in the presence of B7 antigens.