Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology (Jun 2008)

Autoimmunity in gestational diabetes mellitus in Sardinia: a preliminary case-control report

  • Murenu Michela,
  • Sulis Simonetta,
  • Motzo Costantino,
  • Berria Rachele,
  • Zedda Pierina,
  • Garau Nicoletta,
  • Portoghese Elaine,
  • Orrù Marisa,
  • Murgia Cinzia,
  • Paoletti Anna,
  • Melis Gian

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7827-6-24
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 6, no. 1
p. 24

Abstract

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Abstract Background We previously reported a high prevalence (22.3%) of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in a large group of Sardinian women, in contrast with the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes. Sardinia has an unusual distribution of haplotypes and genotypes, with the highest population frequency of HLA DR3 in the world, and after Finland, the highest prevalence of Type 1 diabetes and Autoimmune-related Diseases. In this study we preliminarily tested the prevalence of serological markers of Type 1 diabetes in a group of Sardinian GDM patients. Methods We determined glutamic decarboxylase antibodies (anti-GAD65), protein tyrosine phosphatase ICA 512 (IA2) antibodies (anti-IA2), and IAA in 62 GDM patients, and in 56 controls with matching age, gestational age and parity. Results We found a high prevalence and very unusual distribution of antibodies in GDM patients (38.8%), the anti-IA2 being the most frequent antibody. Out of all our GDM patients, 38.8% (24 of 62) were positive for at least one antibody. Anti-IA2 was present in 29.0 % (18 out of 62) vs. 7.1% (4 out of 56) in the controls (P P = 0.04) in auto-antibodies- positive GDM patients. Conclusion These results are in contrast with the very low prevalence of all antibodies reported in Italy. If confirmed, they could indicate that a large proportion of GDM patients in Sardinia have an autoimmune origin, in accordance with the high prevalence of Type 1 diabetes.