Association between IgE-mediated allergies and diabetes mellitus type 1 in children and adolescents

作者:Klamt Sabine*; Vogel Mandy; Kapellen Thomas M; Hiemisch Andreas; Prenzel Freerk; Zachariae Silke; Ceglarek Uta; Thiery Joachim; Kiess Wieland
来源:Pediatric Diabetes, 2015, 16(7): 493-503.
DOI:10.1111/pedi.12298

摘要

BackgroundType 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is characterized by an immunological reaction that is dominated by type-1 T helper (Th1) cells, whereas immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated allergies are associated with Th2 cell. According to the Th1/Th2-hypothesis, the immune system is said to either develop into the direction of Th1 or Th2 cells. This would mean that a child developing T1DM is unlikely to develop an IgE-mediated allergy and vice versa. ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to investigate the association between the prevalence of T1DM and IgE-mediated allergies. MethodsWe designed a prospective case control study with 94 children and adolescents with T1DM and 188 age- and sex-matched control children. The basis of our investigations was a questionnaire concerning the family and children's history as to the presence of IgE-mediated allergies. Moreover, the following blood investigations were done: total serum IgE, specific IgE antibodies to major inhalant allergens, and a multiplex cytokine analysis measuring levels of specific cytokines representing either Th1- or Th2- cytokines. ResultsChildren with T1DM reported the presence of IgE-mediated allergies significantly more often than children of the control group. Children with T1DM had significantly higher tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF) levels than healthy controls. Levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and IL-6 were higher in the groups of children with the presence of a personal history of allergies, regardless of the presence of T1DM. ConclusionsOur results suggest that T1DM is associated with a higher risk of a self-reported presence of IgE-mediated allergies and that the Th1/Th2-hypothesis may be an oversimplification.