Multiple sclerosis and autoimmune diseases: epidemiology and HLA-DR association in North-east Italy

J Neurol. 2006 May;253(5):636-9. doi: 10.1007/s00415-006-0084-4. Epub 2006 Mar 6.

Abstract

An autoimmune background is thought to characterize the families of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, but disease patterns and HLA-DR association seem to vary considerably among different ethnic groups. We investigated the prevalence of autoimmune diseases in 245 MS patients and 245 age- and sex-matched normal controls (NC), originating from and living in North-east Italy, and their first degree relatives, using a case-control method. Further, HLA-DRB1 expression was analysed in MS and NC. The following significant findings were observed: 1) a significant excess of autoimmunity in first-degree relatives of MS patients (p = 0.000), 2) an association of MS with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) (p = 0.02), 3) an increase in DR4 expression (namely DRB1*0401) in MS patients from families with multiple autoimmune pathology compared with reference MS patients (p=0.02) and NC (p=0.01). We conclude that the risk of autoimmune disease is higher in first-degree relatives of MS patients and that disease association and HLA-DR expression in North-east Italy differs from other geographic regions of Europe.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Autoimmune Diseases / epidemiology
  • Autoimmune Diseases / genetics
  • Autoimmunity*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Female
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease*
  • HLA-DR Antigens / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Italy / ethnology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Sclerosis / epidemiology*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / genetics*
  • Prevalence
  • Risk

Substances

  • HLA-DR Antigens