Clinical characteristics and diabetes associated autoantibodies in patients with both type 1 diabetes mellitus and asthma

Objective: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1) and asthma are mediated by opposite arms of the cellular immune system, namely T helper (Th)1 and Th2 CD4+ cells, respectively. It is not known whether their coexistence affects their clinical manifestations. Methods: The number of asthma exacerbations, frequency of hypoglycemic events, HbA_1c levels, diabetes associated autoantibody status and diabetes associated late complications were determined in three paired groups of patients (n = 11) matched by gender and age: DM1 and asthma, asthma only, and DM1 only. Results: Patients with both diseases had a higher prevalence of hypoglycemic events per month compared to patients with DM1 only: 5.67 ± 4.27 vs 1.45 ± 2.06, respectively (p = 0.008). The coexistence of the two diseases did not modify the remaining clinical and laboratory parameters. Conclusion: Patients with both DM1 and asthma have similar clinical characteristics to patients with only one of these diseases apart from a higher rate of hypoglycemic events compared to patients with DM1 without asthma.