association between dystrophia myotonica type II and autoimmune disease

Dystrophia myotonica (DM) is a genetical muscle disorder of wich two subtypes
exist (DMI and DMII).
Recently an observation was made that the prevalence of T-cel and autoantibody
mediated auto-immune disease was increased in a nationwide cohort of patients
with DM I. Several causes for this association can be conceived , including
genetical linkage.
The genetical cause of DM II is a mutation of the ZNF-9 gene on locus 3q21.3 en
3q13.3-q24 and in these regions some interesting genes can be found for
auto-immune disease, especialy the CD80/CD86 domain. CD80/CD86 is a ligand for
the costimulatory T-cel recepter CD28 and also the locus is at this moment the
only candidate gene for RA susceptability outside chromosome 6 (HLA genes).
Several polymorphisms of CD80/CD86 have been recognised and some seem
associated with auto-immune diasease. An increased prevalence of autoimmune
disaese and autoanti-body formation associated with this monogenetic disorder
would provide insigth in the aetiology of auto immune disorders.

researchs aims
- to assess the frequency of auto-immune disease in patients with dystrophia
myotonica type II compared to patients with dystrophia myotonica type I
- to assess the frequency of auto-antibody formation in patients with
dystrophia myotonica type II compared to patients with dystrophia myotonica
type I

Observational study comparing two cohorts

venous blood punction (hematoma)