[Allergic diseases in children with type 1 diabetes].

INTRODUCTION

Th1/Th2 lymphocytes balance is connected with normal function of the immune system. Differentiation of lymphocytes Th towards Th1 is related to autoimmune diseases appearances and towards Th2 to appearance of atopic diseases. Aim of the study was to analyze the frequency of allergic diseases in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

A survey concerning the manifestation of allergic disorders was conducted in 92 patients (47 girls and 45 boys aged from 2.8 to 18.75 years) with diagnosed diabetes type 1 and serous IgE Total levels were measured.

RESULTS

The prevalence of allergic disorders (atopic rhinitis, conjunctivitis and asthma) among children with type 1 diabetes was more often than in the general population. Occurrence of the allergic disorders in the family is related to increasing frequency of AR, conjunctivitis and asthma. In children with type 1 diabetes and elevated serous IgE Total symptoms of allergy occur more often (69.20%) than in children with type 1 diabetes and normal level of serous IgE Total (58.46%). In the study group the frequency of appearance of other autoimmune diseases among children with elevated level of serous IgE Total (17.39%) was similar to the frequency among children with normal level of serous IgE Total (18.83%).

CONCLUSIONS

In the study group of children with IDDM the prevalence of allergic disorders was more often than in the general population,. There were statistically significant correlations between eczema in infancy, positive family history of allergy and elevated serous total IgE with symptoms of allergic diseases. There was no correlation between elevated serous total IgE and prevalence of other autoimmunological diseases.