HLA antigens in four Pacific populations with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

Abstract

HLA antigen distributions in persons with normal and abnormal glucose tolerance were compared in 4 Pacific populations. The populations included Melanesians from the Fijian Islands, Loyalty Islands and mainland New Caledonia and Polynesians from the Wallis Islands. HLA-DR results are provided for the 1st time for Pacific groups. In Polynesians, HLA-B22 was increased in frequency in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and also in persons with impaired glucose tolerance. The association was not statistically significant when corrected for the number of antigens tested. A similar increase in HLA-B22, although not significant, was seen in each of the 3 Melanesian populations with abnormal glucose tolerance. No other consistent increase in any HLA antigen occurred in persons with abnormal plasma glucose concentrations.