[Outcome differences in pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus depending on their HLA-DQ genotypes]

Background and objective: Our hypothesis is that there is a relationship between the short term outcomes of pediatric patients with type I diabetes mellitus and their HLA-DQ genotypes.

Patients and method: We performed a descriptive epidemiologic study of 129 children and adolescents under 16 years old with type 1 diabetes mellitus. We studied their HLA DQ genotypes and classified them into groups of diabetogenic risk. We studied general clinic and analytic parameters at onset of the disease and during a period of 3 years, and the development of associated chronic complications.

Results: In total, 93.8% of our patients had diabetes-risk HLA-DQ genotypes. Onset of the disease occurred earlier in patients who belonged to risk group III, and they had less pancreatic reserve. During the follow-up period, significant differences in systolic and diastolic blood pressure were found in patients in risk group III, and in diastolic blood pressure in patients in risk group I.

Conclusions: Patients in risk group III have an onset at a lower age and present significant differences in systolic and diastolic blood pressure during the follow up period.