[Genetic approaches to Itsenko-Cushing disease]

107 patients with Itsenko-Cushing disease were examined for heredity: family history was analyzed in 75 cases, dermatoglyphics was assessed in 44 cases, I- and II-class HLA antigens were studied in 68 cases. The patients were found to have hereditary loading both by Itsenko-Cushing and other diseases (hypertension, atherosclerosis, autoimmune disorders). Clinico-genealogical evaluation made it possible to identify forms of the disease which are inherited autosome-recessively and autosome-dominantly. However, in the majority of patients the disease onset had multifactorial nature, as there were HLA-antigen associations by DR4, DR5, DR7, DRw53, DQw3. Pilot experience with genetic study of the disease showed its genetic determination in some forms, its association with hypertension and atherosclerosis, approaches to prevention, prognosis, classification. Practical recommendations on detailed family history collection in patients with Itsenko-Cushing disease have been developed.