HLA phenotypes and diabetic retinopathy.

The incidence of HLA antigens B8, BW15, DW3 and DW4 was found to be significantly increased in 99 patients with growth onset, insulin-dependent diabetes of more than 15 years duration. Different degrees of retinopathy were seen in 75% of the patients. No significant correlation between the presence of specific HLA alleles and the stage of retinopathy was found. We have discussed the possibility that all patients who develop diabetes have identical disease-predisposing genes, irrespective of their HLA alleles. If this was the case, the HLA phenotype would not determine the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy.