DR4 subtypes and their molecular properties in a population‐based study of Swedish childhood diabetes

Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the association between childhood insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and HLA‐DR4 subtypes and to test in a population‐based investigation whether the DR4 association has an effect independent to that of DQ. First, HLA genotyping identified DR4 in 337/425 (79%) patients and 148/367 (40%) controls (Odds Ratio 5.67; p DRB1*0401 >DRB1*0404 and the association of DRB1*0401 has a significant effect in DQ8 positive IDDM patients. We conclude that the DR4 association with IDDM is secondary to DQ by linkage disequilibrium, which support the role of HLA‐DQ as a primary genetic risk factor for IDDM.

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