Sex differences in age of diagnosis, HLA-genotype, and autoantibody profile in children with type 1 diabetes

Objective. To examine sex differences in children with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes (T1D) with respect to age at diagnosis, presence of autoantibodies (GADA, IA-2A, IAA, and ZnT8A), and HLA risk.

Research design and Methods. A population-based nationwide sample of 3,645 Swedish children at T1D diagnosis was used.

Results. Girls were younger at T1D diagnosis (9.53 vs 10.23 years; P < .001), more likely to be autoantibody-positive (94.7% vs 92.0%; P = .002), more often positive for multiple autoantibodies (P < .001), more likely to be positive for GADA (64.9% vs 49.0%; P < .001) and less likely to be positive for IAA (32.3% vs 33.8%; P = .016). Small sex differences in HLA risk were found in children under 9 years of age.

Conclusions. The disease mechanisms leading to T1D may influence the immune system differently in girls and boys.