HLA antigens in type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus in North India

Fifty-four North Indian patients with Type I (Insulin-Dependent) diabetes mellitus who were aged 30 yr or under at onset were HLA-typed. The frequencies of HLA-BW21, BW35, and A28 were significantly increased and that of HLA-B7 was significantly reduced. On correction for the number of antigens tested, only the difference observed with HLA-BW21 for positive association and B7 for negative association remained statistically significant. HLA-B8, B15 and B18 did not demonstrate any significant association with IDDM in this series of patients. The results of the study further emphasize the well recognized race specificity in HLA antigen distribution in normal population as well as disease states. This association of HLA-BW21 with IDDM is the first report from North India.