Acetylator phenotypes in diabetes mellitus.

The purpose of this study was to establish the correlation between the genetically determined rate of acetylation of certain drugs and the development of diabetic neuropathy. Acetylator phenotype was determined according to Evans in 100 healthy individuals and 160 diabetics including 80 patients with type I and 80 with type II diabetes. The diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy was based on clinical neurological examination. In addition, electrostimulation was carried out in 49 diabetics. Among the healthy controls, the fast acetylator phenotype was found in 44 cases (44%) and the slow one in 56 (56%). In type I diabetes these values were 51 (64%) and 29 (36%), in type II 46 (58%) and 34 (42%), respectively. The predominance of fast acetylators in type I diabetes was statistically significant (p less than 0.01) when compared to the healthy population of Warsaw. However, no significant correlation was found between diabetic neuropathy and the distribution of acetylator phenotype. Further prospective studies are necessary in order to ascertain whether the acetylator phenotype might be considered a genetic marker of type I diabetes.