Journal article

Publication year: 1999

Pages: 113-118

Journal: Hormone Research

Volume number: 52

Issue number: 3

ISSN: 0301-0163

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1159/000023446

Publisher: S. Karger AG

Abstract: 
Type 1 diabetes is often associated with additional autoimmune phenomena. However, data reported on the frequency of thyroid autoimmunity differ vastly. Therefore, the prevalence of thyroid autoantibodies was evaluated at a large pediatric diabetes center in Southern Germany. 2,305 determinations (TPO and TG, ELISA) were performed in 495 patients with type 1 diabetes (234 boys, 261 girls; age at last measurement: 15.4 +/- 0.3 years, duration of diabetes 7.5 +/- 0.2 years). The prevalence of elevated thyroid antibodies increased dramatically with age: from 3.7% in patients less than 5 years of age up to 25.3% in the age group 15-20 years (p < 0.0001). For children older than 10 years, girls were significantly more affected than boys (p < 0.0001). Thyroid autoimmunity tended to be more prevalent in the subgroup of patients with the HLA type DR3/DR4 compared to patients with other HLA types (p = 0.08). In children older than 10 years, basal TSH concentrations were significantly elevated in antibody-positive patients (p < 0.05). In conclusion, thyroid autoimmunity is prevalent in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Adolescent girls and young women are especially affected. Yearly routine determinations of thyroid antibodies are therefore recommended.

Harvard Citation style: Holl, R., Böhm, B., Loos, U., Grabert, M., Heinze, E. and Homoki, J. (1999) Thyroid autoimmunity in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus -: Effect of age, gender and HLA type, Hormone Research, 52(3), pp. 113-118. https://doi.org/10.1159/000023446

APA Citation style: Holl, R., Böhm, B., Loos, U., Grabert, M., Heinze, E., & Homoki, J. (1999). Thyroid autoimmunity in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus -: Effect of age, gender and HLA type. Hormone Research. 52(3), 113-118. https://doi.org/10.1159/000023446