Antibodies against the hepatitis B surface antigen in diabetics.

The frequency of antibodies to the hepatitis B surface antigen was determined in 406 diabetics in two study series separated in time (1971-1972 and 1974-1975). In the 1971-1972 series, the antibody frequency in insulin and orally treated patients was significantly higher, and the incidence of hepatitis was also greater. The decline in the antibody frequency in the 1974-1975 series is primarily attributed to improved hygienic measures. Anti-HBs was more frequently demonstrable in insulin-dependent diabetics than in orally treated patients. Since the duration of diabetes was about three times as long in this treatment group and the frequency of metabolic checks twice as great, the raised antibody frequency in insulin-injecting diabetics was attributed to greater exposure to the virus.