In:
Diabetes Care, American Diabetes Association, Vol. 13, No. 5 ( 1990-05-01), p. 529-531
Abstract:
To ascertain whether skin pigmentation type and sensitivity to ultraviolet (UV) light are associated with susceptibility to type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes, 55 type I diabetic patients were examined, 38 new-onset and 17 long-term cases. They were compared to 72 control subjects of the same geographic region and nationality. To evaluate the individual skin pigmentation type, a standardized questionnaire was developed. Reactivity to UV light was determined by a stepwisegraded UV irradiation. Significantly more diabetic patients in southern Germany had blue eyes than nondiabetic control subjects (55 vs. 26%, P & lt; 0.01), and significantly more diabetic patients had a low-pigment eye color (blue or green) than control subjects (66 vs. 38%, P & lt; 0.01). In addition, more fair skin color was noted among diabetic versus control subjects (84 vs. 60%, P & lt; 0.01). In response to UV irradiation, diabetic patients more often snowed an increased UV-light sensitivity than control subjects (83 vs. 23%, P & lt; 0.001). The relative risk for susceptibility to type I diabetes in subjects with low-pigment eye color was 3.1, in subjects with fair skin type 3.4, and in subjects with increased UV-light sensitivity 5.8. The highest risk for the development of diabetes was seen in subjects who had low-pigment eye color and/or increased UV-light sensitivity (95 vs. 51%, P = 0.00002, odds ratio 17.4). We conclude that a low-pigment skin type may predispose for the development of type I diabetes.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0149-5992
,
1935-5548
DOI:
10.2337/diacare.13.5.529
Language:
English
Publisher:
American Diabetes Association
Publication Date:
1990
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1490520-6
