Age of Appearance of Diabetes Autoantibodies in Type 1a Diabetics and Their Siblings in Côte D'ivoire

Abstract

Diabetes autoantibodies, which are important markers of classification and prevention of type 1 diabetes, are absent in the diabetes care in Côte d'Ivoire. The study aim was to determine the age at which these autoantibodies were at their highest levels in type 1A diabetic patients (T1D) and their siblings in Côte d'Ivoire. The study population is composed of 28 T1D patients and 59 siblings, aged from 5 to 21 years. T1D were followed up in the U.H.C Endocrinology departments of Yopougon and Treichville, in the District of Abidjan. Anti-GAD and anti-IA2 autoantibodies were researched by ELISA and anti-ICA autoantibodies by indirect immunofluorescence on monkey pancreas. The peaks of anti-GAD and anti-IA2 autoantibodies were observed respectively at 9 years old (604.30±521.70 IU/ml) and 10 years old (125.10±90.10 IU/ml) in T1D. In siblings, the peaks of anti-GAD and anti-IA2 autoantibodies were observed respectively at 13 years old (137 IU/ml) and 10 years old (53±40 IU/ml). The peak of diabetes autoantibodies in T1D and their siblings in Côte d'Ivoire is at a very young age noted. This could explain the high mortality rate among T1D youth in Côte d'Ivoire.