Thyroid autoimmunity in type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetic patients of Caucasoid, black and Mexican origin

Four hundred and forty-nine patients with Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus and 270 control subjects from Caucasoid, Mexican and black origins were screened for the presence of thyroid microsomal antibodies. Mexican female control subjects had a significantly higher frequency of thyroid microsomal antibodies when compared with black female controls (21% versus 6%, p less than 0.01). Type 2 diabetic patients did not have a higher frequency of thyroid microsomal antibodies when compared with their sex- and race-matched control counterparts. The subgroup of diabetic patients who required insulin for the control of their blood glucose did not have a higher frequency of thyroid microsomal antibodies when compared with non-insulin-requiring diabetic patients. In conclusion autoimmunity against thyroid gland, as manifested by thyroid microsomal antibodies, is not more common in Type 2 diabetic patients when compared with sex- and race-matched control subjects.