Coeliac disease and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: a causal association?

Prevalence of celiac disease and celiac-related antibody status in pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes in Jordan

OBJECTIVE

Scientific findings regarding the prevalence of celiac disease (CD) in pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in the Arab world are scarce. We aimed to determine the prevalence of biopsy-proven celiac disease (BPCD) among pediatric patients with T1D from Jordan. We also assessed the possible predictors for developing CD in this cohort of patients and we compared T1D patients who developed BPCD with those who had positive CD serology but negative histology and/or fluctuating CD serology.

METHODS

Celiac serology and duodenal biopsy results from 2012 to 2017 were collected from patients with T1D. The outcome of positive celiac serology and the risk factors for CD in T1D patients were investigated.

RESULTS

A total of 538 children of which 278 boys (51.7%) were included in the study. The prevalence of positive serology and the diagnosis of BPCD in this cohort of T1D patients were 16.6 and 9.1% respectively. Eighty percent of those with BPCD were asymptomatic and 47% were diagnosed with CD at onset of T1D. Spontaneous normalization of celiac serology occurred in 23.6% of those with positive serology.

CONCLUSION

CD is prevalent in T1D pediatric patients from Jordan (9.1%). It is often asymptomatic and the majority of cases were diagnosed at onset or within 5 years of T1D diagnosis. Spontaneous normalization of CD serology occurred in some patients with T1D. Hence, a watchful follow-up is recommended in such patients.

The Spectrum of Differences between Childhood and Adulthood Celiac Disease

An old saying states that ''children are not little adults" and this certainly holds true for celiac disease, as there are many peculiar aspects regarding its epidemiology, diagnosis, clinical presentations, associated diseases, and response to treatment in pediatric compared to adult populations, to such an extent that it merits a description of its own. In fact, contrary to the past when it was thought that celiac disease was a disorder predominantly affecting childhood and characterized by a malabsorption syndrome, nowadays it is well recognized that it affects also adult and elderly people with an impressive variability of clinical presentation. In general, the clinical guidelines for diagnosis recommend starting with specific serologic testing in all suspected subjects, including those suffering from extraintestinal related conditions, and performing upper endoscopy with appropriate biopsy sampling of duodenal mucosa in case of positivity. The latter may be omitted in young patients showing high titers of anti-transglutaminase antibodies. The subsequent management of a celiac patient differs substantially depending on the age at diagnosis and should be based on the important consideration that this is a lifelong condition.

Silent coeliac disease is over-represented in children with type 1 diabetes and their siblings

AIM

This study measured autoantibodies against tissue transglutaminase (anti-tTG) to detect untreated coeliac disease in children with type 1 diabetes and their siblings.

METHODS

Anti-tTG was measured in prospectively collected sera from 169 children at the onset of diabetes, 88 of their siblings and 96 matched control children. Coeliac disease was confirmed with a small intestinal biopsy.

RESULTS

Coeliac disease was diagnosed in five children before diabetes onset. A further 12 children were diagnosed after diabetes onset, without any gastrointestinal symptoms, and 11 of these had anti-tTG at the onset of diabetes, with the remaining child showing seroconversion within 6 months. Hence, all the children with both diseases had anti-tTG at or before diabetes diagnosis, and the prevalence of coeliac disease was 10.1%. Moreover, 6.8% of the siblings and 3.1% of the control children had elevated levels of anti-tTG. None of the siblings reported any coeliac-related symptoms, despite being positive for anti-tTG, and coeliac disease has so far been biopsy confirmed in 4.5%.

CONCLUSION

Silent coeliac disease is over-represented in children with type 1 diabetes and their siblings. All diabetes children and their siblings should be tested and followed for the presence of anti-tTG and coeliac disease.

Celiac disease and autoimmunity: review and controversies

Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune condition affecting the small intestine, triggered by the ingestion of gluten, the protein fraction of wheat, barley, and rye. There is a strong linkage between CD and HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 haplotypes. Multiple case reports and small series suggest concordance between CD and other autoimmune disorders. This paper provides a brief overview of the pathogenesis of CD and reviews the literature regarding associations between CD and other autoimmune diseases, including the potential effects of gluten-free diet therapy on the prevention or amelioration of associated diseases.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus and celiac disease: endothelial dysfunction

Many reports indicate a hypercoagulative state in diabetes mellitus as result of endothelial damage. Experimental evidence suggests that a metabolic derangement triggers a cascade of biochemical events that lead to vascular dysfunction. The net effect is to convert the endothelium from thromboresistant to thrombogenic surface. In literature, a strong association between type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1) and celiac disease (CD) has been reported. We do not have information about the hemostatic system in these associated conditions. Our study aims at evaluating whether the presence of CD in a group of DM1 patients is associated with a different expression of some hemostatic factors and with a different manifestation and/or progression of microvascular complications of DM1 in comparison with patients with only diabetes. Ninety-four adult DM1 patients were enrolled in the study and subsequently screened for CD. Anti-endomysial antibodies (EMA) were positive in 13 of 94 DM1 patients (13.8%). CD diagnosis was confirmed by histology and organ culture. The mean age and duration of DM1 of patients also affected by CD were similar to those of only diabetic patients, but the metabolic control and the hemocoagulative parameters were significantly different between the two groups: DM1 patients also affected by CD presented significantly lower concentrations of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (P < 0.05), cholesterol (P < 0.001), triglycerides (P < 0.001), factor VII antigen (FVII:ag) (P < 0.005), factor VII coagulant activity (FVII:c) (P < 0.05), and prothrombin degradation fragments (F1+2) (P < 0.001), as well as higher values of activated C protein (APC) (<0.001). No retinal abnormalities and no signs of renal damage were observed in DM1 patients also affected by CD. Our results suggest a potential protective role of CD in the prothrombotic state of DM1.

Type 1 diabetes associated and tissue transglutaminase autoantibodies in patients without type 1 diabetes and coeliac disease with confirmed viral infections

Coeliac disease and type 1 diabetes are autoimmune diseases that may share the same initiating environmental factors. In this study, the occurrence of type 1 diabetes associated autoantibodies (GADA and IA-2A) and tissue transglutaminase autoantibodies (TGA) was determined in patients with confirmed viral infections and no signs of type 1 diabetes or coeliac disease. Serum samples from 82 Cuban patients tested positive for PCR and IgG specific to enterovirus (HEV, serotype echovirus 16, 20 samples), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV, 20 samples), cytomegalovirus (CMV, 21 samples), and hepatitis C virus (HCV, 21 samples); and sera from 164 controls negative serologically to EBV, CMV, HCV, and echovirus 16 were enrolled in the study. All subjects were screened for GADA, IA-2A, and TGA. The prevalence of TGA in patients infected with HEV, EBV, CMV, or HCV was 55% (11/20), 25% (5/20), 9.5% (2/21), and 9.5% (2/21), respectively. GADA and IA-2A were found in 15% (3/20) and 25% (5/20) of patients infected with HEV. None of the patients infected by EBV, CMV, and HCV had GADA or IA-2A. All children infected with HEV who were positive for type 1 diabetes-associated autoantibodies were also TGA-positive. None of the sera from uninfected subjects were positive for GADA, IA-2A or TGA. In conclusion, TGA can develop during infection with HEV, EBV, CMV, or HCV, while the emergence of islet cell related autoantibodies is restricted to HEV infections. The findings suggest that HEV may be a shared environmental factor for the development of islet and gut-related autoimmunity.

Celiac disease in type 1 diabetes mellitus

Celiac Disease (CD) occurs in patients with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) ranging the prevalence of 4.4-11.1% versus 0.5% of the general population. The mechanism of association of these two diseases involves a shared genetic background: HLA genotype DR3-DQ2 and DR4-DQ8 are strongly associated with T1D, DR3-DQ2 with CD. The classical severe presentation of CD rarely occurs in T1D patients, but more often patients have few/mild symptoms of CD or are completely asymptomatic (silent CD). In fact diagnosis of CD is regularly performed by means of the screening in T1D patients. The effects of gluten-free diet (GFD) on the growth and T1D metabolic control in CD/T1D patient are controversial. Regarding of the GFD composition, there is a debate on the higher glycaemic index of gluten-free foods respect to gluten-containing foods; furthermore GFD could be poorer of fibers and richer of fat. The adherence to GFD by children with CD-T1D has been reported generally below 50%, lower respect to the 73% of CD patients, a lower compliance being more frequent among asymptomatic patients. The more severe problems of GFD adherence usually occur during adolescence when in GFD non compliant subjects the lowest quality of life is reported. A psychological and educational support should be provided for these patients.

Celiac disease prevalence in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes from Serbia

BACKGROUND

The association between celiac disease (CD) and type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is well known. Up to now, CD prevalence in children and adolescents with T1DM in Serbia has not been reported. The aim of the present study was to determine CD prevalence and its clinical manifestations in patients with T1DM.

METHODS

One hundred and twenty-one patients (70 girls, 51 boys; mean age, 10.8 years) with T1DM (mean duration of diabetes, 3.4 years) and 125 control group participants (75 girls, 50 boys; mean age, 10.4 years) were tested for CD on tissue transglutaminase antibodies (tTG). In seven serologically positive T1DM patients endoscopic small bowel biopsies were taken and examined on histopathology. In all patients with CD and T1DM age, duration of T1DM, height for age, body mass index, glycosylated hemoglobin and clinical symptoms were noted.

RESULTS

Nine patients with T1DM were positive on IgA tTG antibodies. In seven of them small bowel biopsy was performed, and all were proven to have CD on histopathology. The prevalence of biopsy-proven CD in children and adolescents with T1DM was significantly higher in the study group compared to controls (5.79%. vs 0.8%, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The significantly higher prevalence of CD in children with type 1 diabetes, in accordance with the large volume of data published in the literature, underlines the need for yearly screening of CD in patients with diabetes in order to promptly start a gluten-free diet when appropriate.

Annual screening detects celiac disease in children with type 1 diabetes

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the prevalence of celiac disease (CD) in a cohort of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) children and adolescents at the time of clinical diagnosis and to evaluate the screening procedure and possible role of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DQ during a 5-yr follow-up.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The study group was a cohort of 300 newly diagnosed T1DM children and youths younger than 20 yr followed for 5 yr at six clinical centers for pediatric diabetes in the region Skåne in Sweden. Immunoglobulin A endomysium antibodies were used to screen the patients annually to be considered for an intestinal biopsy. All patients were analyzed for HLA-DQA1-B1 genotypes.

RESULTS

While 0.7% (2/300) already had a diagnosed symptomatic CD, an additional 3% (10/300) had silent CD at the diagnosis of T1DM. During follow-up, another 6% (17/300) developed CD as follows: 10 after 1 yr, 5 after 2 yr, 1 after 3 yr, and 1 after 5 yr. Therefore, the cumulative frequency of CD confirmed by intestinal biopsies was 10% (29/300). HLA genotypes among T1DM patients developing CD were not different from those among patients with T1DM alone.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study confirmed the low prevalence (0.7%) of diagnosed symptomatic CD at the time of clinical diagnosis but document by screening an increasing prevalence of silent CD during a 5-yr follow-up to reach an overall prevalence of 10%. We suggest that children with T1DM should be screened for CD at the onset of T1DM and annually for a minimum of at least 2 yr. HLA genotypes among T1DM patients developing CD were not different from those among patients with T1DM alone.

Prevalence of autoimmune thyroid disease and thyroid dysfunction in young Brazilian patients with type 1 diabetes

Patients with an autoimmune condition are known to be at higher risk of developing other autoimmune disorders. Type 1 diabetes may be associated with additional autoimmune disorders including autoimmune thyroid disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of thyroid autoantibodies in a group of children, adolescents, and young adults with type 1 diabetes from northeastern Brazil as well as their significance for the development of thyroid disorders. The study design was cross-sectional and descriptive, analyzing young people with a previous type 1 diabetes diagnosis. Two hundred and fourteen children and adolescents with prior diagnosis of type 1 diabetes were evaluated. Antibodies to thyroperoxidase (anti-TPO) were determined in all patients and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels. The anti-TPO antibody test was positive in 54 out of the 214 patients studied, resulting in an overall prevalence of 25.2%. Among the anti-TPO-positive subjects, females were predominant (72%) over males (28%) (p < 0.001). A total of 55.5% patients with positive anti-TPO antibodies had abnormal TSH levels. Clinically significant hypothyroidism was found in 29.6% and subclinical hypothyroidism in 22.2% of patients with positive anti-TPO. Hyperthyroidism was present in only 3% of them. Our results demonstrate the high prevalence of autoimmune thyroiditis in patients with type 1 diabetes and the need for these patients of regular screening to make a precocious diagnosis of thyroid dysfunction.

A unifying hypothesis on the development of type 1 diabetes and celiac disease: gluten consumption may be a shared causative factor

This paper presents a hypothesis of the aetiology of the increasing incidence of type 1 diabetes (T1D). This together with the global increased incidence of celiac disease (CD) and that these increases cannot be explained by genetic factors suggest a common environmental factor for these two diseases. Even though enterovirus (EV) infections are believed to trigger T1D and gluten is the trigger of CD, the increasing intake of gluten containing products all over the world could be the trigger for both diseases directly and indirectly. It has been shown that the duration of exposure to gluten is related to the prevalence of T1D. It has also been shown that T1D patients at onset have an inflammatory reaction in the gut. Hence, early diagnose of CD followed by elimination of dietary gluten will lead to a decreased incidence of T1D.

Clinical, subclinical and potential autoimmune diseases in an Italian population of children with coeliac disease

BACKGROUND Several studies have suggested a link between coeliac disease and other autoimmune diseases. AIM To compare the presence of autoimmune disease in children with coeliac disease and in controls. METHODS When coeliac disease was diagnosed, 267 children were evaluated for clinical autoimmune disease (with signs/symptoms), subclinical autoimmune disease (with autoantibodies and subclinical impairment of the target organ) or potential autoimmune disease (with autoantibodies only) and compared with 220 healthy controls. 170 coeliac disease patients were followed up for a mean 47 +/- 31 months, in complete remission on a gluten-free diet. Ninety-nine controls were followed up for 45 +/- 33 months. RESULTS When coeliac disease was diagnosed, 71 (27%) children had autoimmune disease vs. 1% among the controls (P < 0.001): 31 had clinical autoimmune disease and 40 had subclinical or potential autoimmune disease. During the follow-up, the clinical autoimmune disease cases slightly decreased from 12% to 11%, while the potential autoimmune disease cases increased from 14% to 21%. Of the 99 controls, none had any variation in their autoantibody profile. CONCLUSIONS Gluten-free diet does not modify the natural history of autoimmunity in patients with coeliac disease. However, gluten-free diet seems to produce a favourable effect on the previously present clinical autoimmune disease and to prevent the development of new clinical autoimmune disease, but does not affect the onset of potential autoimmunity, which tends to increase with time.

Anti-endomysial antibody of IgG1 isotype detection strongly increases the prevalence of coeliac disease in patients affected by type I diabetes mellitus

A strong association between type 1 insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM1) and coeliac disease (CD) is well documented, but it is known that prevalence values are underestimated. Serum anti-endomysial antibodies (EMA), considered diagnostic for CD because of their high sensitivity and specificity, belong to the IgA class, but the existence of EMA of IgG1 isotype in the presence or absence of IgA deficiency was reported. In order to re-evaluate the occurrence of CD in IDDM1 patients we performed a screening in IDDM1 patients using EMA of both isotypes. Ninety-four adults affected by IDDM1 (unaffected by CD before enrolling) were enrolled and 83 blood donors as controls. All subjects were on a gluten-containing diet. Histology and biopsy culture were performed. EMA IgA and IgG1 in sera and culture supernatants were detected. Serum EMA were positive in 13 of 94 IDDM1 patients (13.8%). Six of 13 presented IgA-EMA, seven of 13 presented IgG1-EMA. No EMA were found in the control population. Total intestinal atrophy was found in all six patients with serum IgA-EMA and in five of seven with serum IgG1-EMA. Diagnosis of CD was confirmed by histology and organ culture in all 13 patients with serum EMA. The prevalence of CD in the patients affected by IDDM1 was 6.4% for IgA-EMA-positive and 7.4% for IgG1-EMA-positive patients. We confirmed the prevalence of CD in the IDDM1 population obtained with IgA-EMA screening only (6.4%). This prevalence value increases dramatically to 13.8% when IgG1-EMA are also used in the screening. We conclude that IgG1-EMA should also be sought whenever an IDDM1 patient undergoes screening for CD.

Natural course of autoimmune thyroiditis in type 1 diabetes: association with gender, age, diabetes duration, and puberty

AIMS

To investigate the natural history and incidence of autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) in paediatric patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

METHODS

Since 1990, annual screening for thyroid disease has been performed in children and adolescents with T1D. Antibodies against thyroperoxidase (anti-TPO) and thyroglobulin (anti-TG) as well as TSH were measured in 659 patients (54.3% boys). In 126 patients, anti-TPO and anti-TG levels were followed at yearly intervals from onset up to five years of T1D. Anti-TPO above 30 U/ml and anti-TG above 20 U/ml were considered positive, values above 100 U/ml as significantly raised and indicative of AIT. L-thyroxine treatment was started if TSH was higher than 4.5 microU/ml and/or thyroid gland enlargement on thyroid ultrasound was present.

RESULTS

At initial screening, 15.4% of patients had raised anti-TPO and 14.4% anti-TG. Girls had more frequently raised antibodies than boys. Sixty two patients (9.4%, 61% girls) required treatment with L-thyroxine. The cumulative incidence (SE) of AIT after 10 years of diabetes was 0.14 (0.02), being significantly higher in females (0.18 (0.03)), particularly after the age of 12 years. At T1D onset, positive anti-TPO and anti-TG were present in 21 of 126 patients (16.7%), each. All patients with significantly increased values of anti-TPO (n = 17, 148-5340 U/ml) and anti-TG (n = 11, 140-2000 U/ml) at T1D onset remained positive during the following five years.

CONCLUSIONS

For early detection of autoimmune thyroiditis in children with T1D, measurement of anti-TPO and TSH at T1D onset and in yearly intervals after the age of 12 years is recommended.

[Celiac disease in a group of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus]

To know the prevalence of celiac disease (CD) in a group of children and adolescents with type I diabetes mellitus. A cross sectional study was conducted at the Instituto Materno Infantil de Pernambuco (IMIP) in March 2000. The sample consisted of 19 children and adolescents with type I diabetes mellitus that had the human anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies assessed using kits from the Eurospital Laboratory. In case of positive results it was realized small intestine biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. For the calculation of the prevalence of CD it was considered the number of patients with serum positive histological alterations of the mucous membrane of the small intestine compatible with CD. Four patients presented serum positivity for human anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies with a serum prevalence of 21% (4/19). Out of these four subjects, three who accomplished small intestine biopsy presented histological alterations compatible with CD. The prevalence of CD in this group was 15.8% (3/19). The prevalence of CD in this study group was high, suggesting that those with type I diabetes mellitus should be led as a group of high risk to develop this disease.

Anthropometry, metabolic control, and thyroid autoimmunity in type 1 diabetes with celiac disease: A multicenter survey

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the influence of celiac disease (CD) on growth and metabolic control in a nationwide cohort of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

STUDY DESIGN

We analyzed data from 19,796 pediatric patients with T1D in the German pediatric multicenter DPV-database for occurrence of CD.

RESULTS

CD-specific antibodies were present in 1326 patients (6.7%). The diagnosis was confirmed in 127 patients (0.6%) by small-bowel biopsy. Female subjects were significantly more predisposed to have T1D and CD. The CD-affected patients in our cohort were significantly younger at diabetes onset. Furthermore, they had significantly lower height-SDS at onset (-0.49 vs -0.06, P < .05), a difference that increased during the course of the disease (-0.80 vs -0.26 after 9 years of diabetes, P < .05). In addition, body mass index-SDS significantly differed between the groups (0.22 vs 0.47, P < .05). Evidence for thyroid disease was more commonly observed in the T1D with CD group (6.3% vs 2.3%, P < .05). HbA1c values were lower in the patients with T1D and CD.

CONCLUSIONS

The CD-positive patients were characterized by earlier onset of diabetes and decreased growth and weight gain. These findings emphasize the clinical relevance of celiac disease in patients with autoimmune diabetes.

Effect of gluten-free diet and adherence on growth and diabetic control in diabetics with coeliac disease

AIMS

To study the effect of gluten-free diet on growth and diabetic control of children with type 1 diabetes mellitus and coeliac disease.

METHODS

Twenty one children (mean age 7.5 years, range 1.6-12.9) with type 1 diabetes, primarily initially identified on the basis of symptoms and consecutively diagnosed with coeliac disease by biopsy over a 10 year period, were matched by sex, age at onset, and duration of diabetes with two diabetic controls without coeliac disease. Weight, height, haemoglobin A1c, and insulin requirements were measured before and for 12 months after the diagnosis and treatment of coeliac disease. Dietary awareness and adherence were assessed by structured questionnaire.

RESULTS

A gluten-free diet resulted in a significant increase in weight-for-age z scores at 12 months after diagnosis (mean increase in z score 0.33) and in BMI (mean increase in z score 0.32). Increases in height did not achieve statistical significance. Controls showed no significant changes in weight, height, or BMI over the same period. Insulin dosage at diagnosis was less in coeliacs than in controls (mean difference 0.16 units/kg/day), but was similar to controls once a gluten-free diet had been established. Questionnaires were obtained in 20 patients. There appeared to be a relation between dietary awareness/adherence and growth parameters, but the small number of patients with "poor/fair" dietary adherence prevented meaningful analysis of this group.

CONCLUSION

Identification and dietary treatment of coeliac disease in children with diabetes improved growth and influenced diabetic control. Evaluation of the outcome of treatment of coeliac disease in diabetics should include assessments of gluten intake.

The temporal relationship between the onset of type 1 diabetes and celiac disease: a study based on immunoglobulin a antitransglutaminase screening

OBJECTIVE

The association of celiac disease (CD) and type 1 diabetes is now clearly documented. Immunoglobulin A (IgA) antitransglutaminase antibodies were measured to determine the prevalence of celiac disease in a diabetic population of children and to determine the temporal relationship between type 1 diabetes onset and CD.

METHODS

We measured IgA antitransglutaminase antibodies using human recombinant antigen in parallel with classical markers (IgA and IgG antigliadin, IgA antiendomysium) in 284 children with diabetes.

RESULTS

In the population studied, the prevalence of CD was 3.9% (11 of 284). Two cases of CD were diagnosed before the onset of diabetes, and in 8 patients, the diagnoses of CD and diabetes were concomitant, suggesting that CD was present before the onset of diabetes. In 1 case, a girl who presented with thyroiditis, serology for CD became positive after diabetes had been diagnosed.

CONCLUSION

An excellent correlation was observed between IgA antiendomysium and IgA antitransglutaminase antibodies. We therefore propose using IgA antitransglutaminase as a screening test for practical reasons. Furthermore, IgA antitransglutaminase levels and mucosa abnormalities were closely correlated. The presence of antitransglutaminase antibodies should alert pediatricians to the atypical forms of CD. This study indicates that CD is most often present before the onset of diabetes.

Prévalence des marqueurs biologiques de la maladie cœliaque dans une cohorte d’enfants et d’adolescents diabétiques de type I

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of celiac disease (CD) markers in a French cohort of 84 children type 1 diabetics. Detection of antitransglutaminase (AtTG), antiendomysium (AEA) and antigliadin (AGA) antibodies was performed. Group 1 included 81 (96.4%) diabetic patients with negative antibodies. Group 2 included 3 patients (3.6%) with positive serological markers: 1 AGA-AEA-AtTG and 1 AEA-AtTG with proved histological diagnosis and 1 AGA positive with negative histology. No statistically significant difference was observed between the groups with regard to age, duration of diabetes, familial target stature, and ratios Height/Age and Weight/Height. Presence of CD serological markers was related to a lower level of HbA1c. Prevalence of CD serological markers is important in this French cohort but lower than other countries.

Ultrastructural mucosal alterations and increased intestinal permeability in non-celiac, type I diabetic patients

BACKGROUND

Increased intestinal permeability was described in several intestinal auto-immune conditions. There are very few and contradictory reports about type I diabetes mellitus, an auto-immune condition sometimes associated with celiac disease.

AIMS

To investigate intestinal permeability in type I diabetes mellitus patients with no concomitant celiac disease, with a comparison to ultra-structural aspects of duodenal mucosa.

PATIENTS

46 insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, non-celiac, patients (18 females and 28 males, mean age 15.8 +/- 5.3 [S.D.] years) were enrolled. The mean duration of the disease was 5.7 years.

METHODS

The morphological aspect of the small bowel mucosa, at standard light microscopy and electron transmission microscopy, along with intestinal permeability (by lactulose/mannitol test) were studied. Lactulose and mannitol urinary excretion were determined by means of high performance anion exchange chromatography-pulsed amperometric detection.

RESULTS

The lactulose/mannitol ratio was 0.038 [0.005-0.176] (median and range) in 46 patients compared to 0.014 [0.004-0.027] in 23 controls: insulin dependent diabetes mellitus group values being significantly higher than those of the controls (P < 0.0001, Mann-Whitney test). Eight insulin dependent diabetes mellitus patients underwent endoscopy and biopsies were analysed by means of light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. At the light microscopy level, none of the biopsy samples showed any sign of atrophy nor inflammation, whereas transmission electron microscopy analysis showed remarkable ultra-structural changes in six out of the eight patients. Four parameters were evaluated: height and thickness of microvilli, space between microvilli and thickness of tight junctions.

CONCLUSIONS

This alteration of intestinal barrier function in non-celiac type I diabetes mellitus, frequently associated with mucosal ultra-structural alterations, could suggest that a loss of intestinal barrier function can be a pathogenetic factor in a subset of insulin dependent diabetes mellitus patients.

Multiple immune disorders in unrecognized celiac disease: a case report

We reported a female patient with unrecognized celiac disease and multiple extra intestinal manifestations, mainly related to a deranged immune function, including macroamilasemia, macrolipasemia, IgA nephropathy, thyroiditis, and anti-b2-glicoprotein-1 antibodies, that disappeared or improved after the implementation of a gluten-free diet.

Increased prevalence of autoimmune diseases in first-degree relatives of patients with celiac disease

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of autoimmune disorders is increased in patients with celiac disease (CD), and it is unknown whether their first-degree relatives also have a high risk of autoimmune disorders.

METHODS

To assess the prevalence of autoimmune diseases in first-degree relatives of CD patients, the authors looked for autoimmune disorders in 225 first-degree relatives of 66 children with CD (group A) and in 232 first-degree relatives of 68 healthy children (group B). For both groups, serologic screening for CD was performed through antiendomysium (EMA) and tissue transglutaminase autoantibodies (tTGAA). EMA- and tTGAA-positive subjects were offered an intestinal biopsy. The age at onset of autoimmune diseases was also recorded in group A.

RESULTS

The prevalence of autoimmune disorders was significantly (P = 0.028) higher in group A (11 of 225, 4.8%) than in group B (2 of 232, 0.86%). In relatives of CD patients, the prevalence increased with age (chi2 for trend, 43.5; P < 0.0001). Serologic screening for CD was only positive in group A (15 of 225 subjects). An intestinal biopsy was performed in 13 of these 15 relatives (2 refused biopsy). Eleven of 13 had flat mucosa, with subclinical or silent forms of CD. The prevalence of autoimmune diseases in the EMA- and tTGAA-positive relatives of CD patients was significantly higher (3 of 15, 20%; P = 0.028; odds ratio, 6.3; 95% CI, 1/0.21-1/0.11, 4.9-7.6) than in those who were EMA and tTGAA negative (8/210, 3.8%).

CONCLUSIONS

The first-degree relatives of CD patients have an increased risk of autoimmune diseases, most likely connected with unrecognized subclinical or silent forms of CD.

The prevalence of coeliac disease in Libyan children with type 1 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND

Diagnosis of atypical and silent forms of coeliac disease (CD) is important because of its serious complications. Increased prevalence of coeliac disease worldwide in individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) was described. There are no data on the prevalence of CD in the Libyan population and Libyan DM patients. The aim of this study was to test the occurrence of CD-related markers in a group of Libyan children with DM.

METHODS

A cohort of 234 Libyan children with DM (121 males and 113 females) aged between 2 and 25 years and 50 healthy school children were screened for CD using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for IgA and IgG antigliadin (AGA), anti-tissue transglutaminase (tTG), and anticalreticulin antibodies. An IgA antiendomysial antibody (EmA) was determined by immunofluorescence.

RESULTS

Fifty patients (21.3%) were positive for IgA- and/or IgG-AGA, tTG, and anticalreticulin antibodies. Nineteen of these patients were EmA positive and seven were EmA negative. From the EmA negative patients we found that five sera with IgA deficiency had high IgG class in antigliadin, anti-tissue transglutaminase, and anticalreticulin antibodies. All these patients underwent intestinal biopsy. Twenty-four had clear histological (atrophy) evidence of CD including the EmA negative patients with IgA deficiency; prevalence of CD in this study was thus 10.3%.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of CD in diabetic children in Libya was found to be higher than in several European countries. Serological markers are useful for identifying DM patients who should undergo a small intestinal biopsy.

Screening for coeliac disease in type 1 diabetes

The average prevalence of coeliac disease among children with diabetes mellitus in 26 reports was 4.5% (0.97-16.4%). Malabsorption, unstable diabetes, and growth failure, indicate that coeliac disease may be present. Even those who are apparently asymptomatic may have subtle complaints indicative of coeliac disease if a careful history is taken. Ill health may only be recognised in retrospect following the benefits conferred by a gluten free diet. For these reasons it is recommended that a screening programme should be instituted to detect coeliac disease in these children. Parents and where possible children themselves, should be fully involved at all stages of the screening, diagnostic, and treatment process.

Diagnostic value of anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies for inflammatory bowel disease: high prevalence in patients with celiac disease

Both celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are characterized by chronic diarrhea and the presence of distinct (auto)antibodies. In the present study we wanted to determine the prevalence of serological markers for inflammatory bowel disease, i.e., perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (pANCA) and/or anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies (ASCA), in 37 patients with biopsy-confirmed celiac disease (Marsh IIIb/c). The majority of the patients was positive for IgA (auto)antibodies typically associated with celiac disease, i.e., antiendomysium antibodies (EMA) (86.5%), antigliadin antibodies (AGA) (73%), and antirecombinant human tissue transglutaminase antibodies (rh-tTGA) (86.5%). Four patients with selective IgA deficiency could be identified by analyzing EMA, AGA, and rh-tTGA for the IgG isotype. The prevalence of pANCA and ASCA, markers that are used for IBD, was unexpectedly high in our cohort of patients with celiac disease: 8 patients were positive for pANCA (IgG) and 16 patients were positive for ASCA (IgG and/or IgA). These results indicate that the presence of pANCA or ASCA in the serum of patients with chronic diarrhea does not exclude celiac disease. A prospective study is required to determine whether pANCA and/or ASCA identify patients at risk for developing secondary autoimmune disease.

Endocrinological disorders and celiac disease

Celiac disease is a permanent intolerance to dietary gluten. Its well known features are abdominal symptoms, malabsorption of nutrients, and small-bowel mucosal inflammation with villous atrophy, which recover on a gluten-free diet. Diagnosis is challenging in that patients often suffer from subtle, if any, symptoms. The risk of clinically silent celiac disease is increased in various autoimmune conditions. The endocrinologist, especially, should maintain high suspicion and alertness to celiac disease, which is to be found in 2-5% of patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus or autoimmune thyroid disease. Patients with multiple endocrine disorders, Addison's disease, alopecia, or hypophysitis may also have concomitant celiac disease. Similar heredity and proneness to autoimmune conditions are considered to be explanations for these associations. A gluten-free diet is essential to prevent celiac complications such as anemia, osteoporosis, and infertility. The diet may also be beneficial in the treatment of the underlying endocrinological disease; prolonged gluten exposure may even contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases. The diagnosis of celiac disease requires endoscopic biopsy, but serological screening with antiendomysial and antitissue transglutaminase antibody assays is an easy method for preliminary case finding. Celiac disease will be increasingly detected provided the close association with autoimmune endocrinological diseases is recognized.

A longitudinal study of the effects of a gluten-free diet on glycemic control and weight gain in subjects with type 1 diabetes and celiac disease

OBJECTIVE

To describe the longitudinal growth characteristics and glycemic control in type 1 diabetic children diagnosed with celiac disease and started on a gluten-free diet (GFD).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Data on growth and glycemic control for 11 case subjects diagnosed with celiac disease (cd(+) group) and started on a GFD were collected prospectively, and two control subjects without celiac disease matched for age, sex, and duration of diabetes (cd(-) group) were selected for comparison.

RESULTS

In the period between diagnosis of type 1 diabetes and start of a GFD in the cd(+) compared with the cd(-) group, BMI standard deviation score (SDS) was lower (-0.2 vs. 0.7, P = 0.015), as was HbA(1c) (8.9 vs. 9.8%, P = 0.002). In a regression model the cd(+) group had lower BMI SDS (P < 0.001) and lower HbA(1c) (P = 0.04), independent of other variables. On a GFD, BMI SDS increased by 12 months in the cd(+) group and then was no different than the cd(-) group (1.1 vs. 1.0, P = 0.11), whereas HbA(1c) improved further within case subjects compared with pre-GFD (8.9 vs. 8.3%, P = 0.002). On a GFD, case subjects in contrast to control subjects showed no deterioration in HbA(1c) during the years of puberty (8.3 vs. 10.0%, P = 0.022)

CONCLUSIONS

In children with type 1 diabetes, untreated celiac disease resulted in lower BMI SDS and lower HbA(1c). Recovery of BMI SDS with a GFD was associated with further improvement in HbA(1c) as compared with pre-GFD, with no expected deterioration in glycemic control during puberty. These apparent clinical benefits need confirming by larger studies.

Occurrence of celiac disease after onset of type 1 diabetes: a 6-year prospective longitudinal study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the prevalence of celiac disease in a large cohort of children and adolescents at the onset of type 1 diabetes and the occurrence of new cases during a 6-year follow-up.

METHODS

We prospectively studied, by repeated serologic screening, 274 consecutive patients at the onset of type 1 diabetes (age [mean +/- standard deviation]: 8.28 +/- 4.65 years) for 6 subsequent years. One patient had a diagnosis of celiac disease before the onset of diabetes. The immunoglobulin A-antiendomysium antibody test was selected as the screening test; patients with positive results (++ or +++) or with 2 consecutive weak positive tests (+) were considered appropriate for the jejunal biopsy.

RESULTS

At diabetes onset, 15 (5.5%) of 273 patients tested positive with the antiendomysium test; jejunal biopsy was performed in 10, and celiac disease was diagnosed in 9. The prevalence of biopsy-confirmed celiac disease at the manifestation of diabetes was 3.6% (10 of 274 patients). Twelve more patients with a negative antiendomysium antibody test at diabetes onset tested positive during the follow-up within 4 years; 10 of them had biopsies performed, and 7 had celiac disease. Therefore, the overall prevalence of biopsy-confirmed celiac disease in the entire cohort of patients was 6.2%. The age at diabetes onset in patients with and without celiac disease was not different (7.88 +/- 5.69 vs 8.3 +/- 4.58 years). The majority of cases of celiac disease were asymptomatic in their presentation, and no signs of overt malnutrition were documented.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of celiac disease in patients with type 1 diabetes is approximately 20 times higher than in the general population. Sixty percent of cases are already present at diabetes onset, mostly undetected, but an additional 40% of patients develop celiac disease a few years after diabetes onset. Extending screening programs for celiac disease after the onset of type 1 diabetes is recommended, even in the absence of clinical symptoms.

Is coeliac disease more prevalent in young adults with coexisting Type 1 diabetes mellitus and autoimmune thyroid disease compared with those with Type 1 diabetes mellitus alone?

AIM

It is known that patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus are more prone to develop coeliac disease and that autoimmune thyroid disease occurs more frequently in patients with coeliac disease. We therefore assessed whether coeliac disease, either known or occult, occurs more frequently in young/middle aged adults with Type 1 diabetes and coexisting autoimmune thyroid dysfunction than in adults with Type 1 diabetes alone.

METHODS

The prevalence of known coeliac disease was assessed in 509 (301 males, aged 16-55 years) patients with Type 1 diabetes, 28 (5.5%) of whom had treated autoimmune thyroid disease. In a second study 38 patients with Type 1 diabetes and coexisting autoimmune thyroid disease along with 112 patients with Type 1 diabetes alone were then screened for coeliac disease using serum IgA endomysial antibodies and IgA gliadin antibodies.

RESULTS

Seven of the 509 patients (1.4%) had been diagnosed with coeliac disease and two of these had later developed autoimmune thyroid disease (both hypothyroid). The subsequent screening exercise found that one of the 38 patients with both Type 1 diabetes and thyroid disease had positive endomysial antibodies on screening. However, duodenal biopsy was negative for coeliac disease. There were two patients with positive endomysial antibodies in the group of 112 patients with diabetes only. Both had duodenal biopsy but only one was consistent with coeliac disease.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of known coeliac disease in this young adult Type 1 diabetes clinic in North-west England was 7/509 (1.4%). Two of these seven patients with coeliac disease were from the group of 28 who had autoimmune thyroid disease as well. Therefore we suggest that patients with known coeliac disease and Type 1 diabetes should be screened for autoimmune thyroid disease. The second screening study then found 3/150 (2%) to have a serological marker for coeliac disease. However, patients with both Type 1 diabetes and autoimmune thyroid disease were not more likely to have occult coeliac disease compared with those with Type 1 diabetes only.

The prevalence and clinical characteristics of celiac disease in juvenile diabetes in Wisconsin

BACKGROUND

The relationship between celiac disease and juvenile diabetes has long been known. Only a single study in the United States, from Buffalo, New York, has reported the prevalence of celiac disease in a pediatric diabetic population. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and clinical presentation of celiac disease in children and adolescents with juvenile diabetes in Wisconsin, USA, using serum antiendomysial antibody as a screening test.

METHODS

Two hundred eighteen patients with diabetes (113 males; age range, 4-21 years) and 117 age-and gender-matched control participants were tested for immunoglobulin A endomysial antibody. Patients with positive results were offered a small bowel biopsy. A questionnaire regarding abdominal pain, diarrhea, and growth failure was completed by the parents.

RESULTS

Seventeen of 218 diabetic patients (7.7%) had positive endomysial antibody. All control participants had negative results for the endomysial antibody. Small bowel biopsy was performed in 14 patients. Ten patients had villous atrophy. In one patient without villous atrophy, a repeat biopsy 2 years later showed villous atrophy, and two patients had increased intraepithelial lymphocytes without villous atrophy. Seventy percent of the patients with celiac disease were asymptomatic. The reported symptoms were abdominal pain and diarrhea (n = 1) and growth failure (n = 2). Two patients with celiac disease had Down syndrome.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of celiac disease in children with juvenile diabetes in Wisconsin is at least 4.6%, which is comparable with European and Canadian studies. Because patients without villous atrophy may have latent celiac disease, the prevalence may be even higher. All children with juvenile diabetes should be screened for celiac disease.

Complications of pediatric and adolescent type 1 diabetes mellitus

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is potentially associated with serious microvascular and macrovascular complications, although these are usually subclinical during the pediatric and adolescent years. There is no "grace" period for the beginnings of such complications. Duration of diabetes, glycemic control, age, and pubertal stage are critical factors contributing toward development of such problems. Other risk factors include family history (genetic predisposition), hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and smoking. The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) proved the importance of glycemic control and emphasized the ability of improved glucose control to prevent or decrease retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy using a multidisciplinary same-philosophy-of-care approach plus targeted glucose and hemoglobin A(1c) values. Other natural history and intervention studies support the findings of the DCCT. Although our current tools are not perfect, they allow us to decrease microangiopathic complications very significantly if we educate our patients and their family members. Metabolic control counts.

Celiac disease-associated autoimmune endocrinopathies

Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disorder induced by gluten intake in genetically susceptible individuals. It is characterized by the presence of serum antibodies to endomysium, reticulin, gliadin, and tissue transglutaminase. The incidence of CD in various autoimmune disorders is increased 10- to 30-fold in comparison to the general population, although in many cases CD is clinically asymptomatic or silent. The identification of such cases with CD is important since it may help in the control of type I diabetes or endocrine functions in general, as well as in the prevention of long-term complications of CD, such as lymphoma. It is believed that CD may predispose an individual to other autoimmune disorders such as type I diabetes, autoimmune thyroid, and other endocrine diseases and that gluten may be a possible trigger. The onset of type I diabetes at an early age in patients with CD, compared to non-CD, and the prevention or delay in onset of diabetes by gluten-free diet in genetically predisposed individuals substantiates this antigen trigger hypothesis. Early identification of CD patients in highly susceptible population may result in the treatment of subclinical CD and improved control of associated disorders.

Coeliac disease and Type 1 diabetes mellitus - the case for screening

AIM

To review the relationship between coeliac disease and Type 1 diabetes mellitus with emphasis on prevalence of coeliac disease, presentation and implications for screening.

METHODS

Papers collected over many years by the author have been included in the review and a literature search employing Medline was undertaken to August 2000. Search words used were coeliac disease and diabetes mellitus.

RESULTS

Twenty papers exploring the prevalence of coeliac disease by serological screening of Type 1 diabetes in children, eight in adults and two including both groups were found. An additional 48 papers are included and relate to serological screening tests for coeliac disease, expressions and complications of coeliac disease, the value of GFD and the genetics of the two conditions. Unless formal screening studies are undertaken coeliac disease will not be diagnosed because patients are asymptomatic, have atypical symptoms or even in those with symptoms the diagnosis is overlooked. Based on small bowel biopsy, diagnosis the prevalence of coeliac disease in Type 1 diabetes in children is 1:6 to 1:103 and in adults 1:16 to 1:76. Patients may improve following the start of a gluten-free diet (GFD) in terms of symptoms, growth in children, serum antibody levels, haematological and biochemical indices, morphology of the small intestinal mucosa and control of diabetes.

CONCLUSION

Coeliac disease commonly occurs in Type 1 diabetes. It is recommended that screening for coeliac disease should be part of the routine investigation and offered to all patients because of the high prevalence and the potential benefits of treatment with a GFD. This includes control of symptoms, stabilization of diabetes and prevention of complications associated with coeliac disease. The cost per patient diagnosed with coeliac disease from the existing population with Type 1 diabetes would be pound860 and for those newly arising pound950.

The high prevalence of autoantibodies to tissue transglutaminase in first-degree relatives of patients with type 1 diabetes is not associated with islet autoimmunity

OBJECTIVE

To determine the extent of celiac autoimmunity in type 1 diabetic patients and the overlap between islet and celiac autoimmunity in their nondiabetic relatives.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

IgA antibodies to tissue transglutaminase were determined in serum taken from 433 type 1 diabetic patients and 1,442 nondiabetic first-degree relatives. Samples with transglutaminase antibodies above the 97.5th percentile of 347 schoolchildren were also assayed for IgA anti-endomysial antibodies (EMAs). Markers of islet autoimmunity (islet cell antibodies and autoantibodies to insulin, glutamate decarboxylase. and protein tyrosine phosphatase IA-2) had previously been measured in all relatives.

RESULTS

In the absence of known celiac disease, the prevalence of transglutaminase antibody levels above the 97.5th percentile of the schoolchildren was 13.4% in diabetic patients and 7.0% in nondiabetic relatives. ENMAs were found in addition to transglutaminase antibodies in 2.6% of probands and in 1.9% of first-degree relatives, but none of the schoolchildren. Transglutaminase antibodies were found to persist in 10 of 30 patients and in 30 of 59 relatives with follow-up samples taken at least 2 years after the initial sample. Of 186 nondiabetic relatives with islet autoantibodies, only 10 also had transglutaminase antibodies.

CONCLUSIONS

We found a high prevalence of celiac autoimmunity in patients and first-degree relatives of children with type 1 diabetes, but we found limited overlap between islet and celiac autoimmunity in nondiabetic relatives. The high prevalence of celiac autoimmunity may be explained by shared genetic susceptibility and identifies a population within which screening for the disease may be justified.

Gluten-dependent diabetes-related and thyroid-related autoantibodies in patients with celiac disease

Patients with celiac disease are at high risk of having autoimmune disorders. Moreover, untreated patients with celiac disease have been found to have a higher than expected prevalence of organ-specific autoantibodies. In a prospective study of 90 patients with celiac disease, we found that the prevalence of diabetes and thyroid-related serum antibodies was 11.1% and 14.4%, respectively. Like antiendomysium autoantibodies, these organ-specific antibodies seem to be gluten-dependent and tend to disappear during a gluten-free diet.

Screening by anti-endomysium antibody for celiac disease in diabetic children and adolescents in Austria

BACKGROUND

Unrecognized celiac disease (CD) may be found in a substantial proportion of patients with type I diabetes mellitus.

METHODS

A cohort of 403 Austrian children and adolescents with type I diabetes mellitus (210 males and 193 females; age range, 1-22 years) was screened for celiac disease using the IgA anti-endomysium antibody test (EMA) and the immunoglobulin (Ig)G anti-gliadin (AGA-IgG) and IgA anti-gliadin (AGA-IgA) antibody test.

RESULTS

Twelve patients' sera (2.98%) yielded positive EMA results and two patients' sera (0.49%) with IgA deficiency had high AGA-IgG values. All but one of these patients underwent intestinal biopsy. Six (1.49%) had clear histologic evidence of CD (flat mucosa), whereas three (0.74%) showed minor histologic changes (increase in intraepithelial lymphocytes) and four (0.99%), including the EMA-negative patients with IgA deficiency, had a normal mucosa. When the cases with silent and potential CD were combined, the overall prevalence in the current cohort was 2.98%. There was no difference in the hemoglobin (Hb)A1c level between antibody-positive and -negative patients, and subsequent gluten-free diet did not change this metabolic parameter.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of clinically unrecognized CD, found by EMA screening, is much higher in Austrian children with diabetes than in a comparable population without diabetes. The prevalence of CD in diabetic children in Austria is distinctly lower, however, than in several other countries.

Duration of exposure to gluten and risk for autoimmune disorders in patients with celiac disease. SIGEP Study Group for Autoimmune Disorders in Celiac Disease

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The relationship between celiac disease and many autoimmune disorders has been explained by the sharing of a common genetic factor. In a multicenter national study, we examined the relationship between the prevalence of autoimmune disorders in celiac disease and the duration of exposure to gluten.

METHODS

Over a 6-month period, 909 patients with celiac disease (group A; mean age, 16.1 +/- 3.8 years; grouped according to age at diagnosis into three subgroups [group A1, <2 years; group A2, 2-10 years; and group A3, >10 years]), 1268 healthy controls (group B; mean age, 20.8 +/- 4.5 years), and 163 patients with Crohn's disease (group C; mean age, 28.8 +/- 10 years) were evaluated for the presence of autoimmune disorders.

RESULTS

Prevalence of autoimmune disorders in group A was significantly higher than in group B (14% vs. 2.8%; P < 0.000001) but not higher than in group C (12.9%). Prevalence of autoimmune disorders in celiac disease increased with increasing age at diagnosis: 5.1% in group A1, 17% in group A2, and 23.6% in group A3 (P = 0.000001). In group A3, the prevalence of autoimmune disorders was significantly higher than in group C. In a logistic regression model, age at diagnosis was the only significant predictor variable of the odds of developing an autoimmune disorder (r = 0.3; P < 0.000001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data show for the first time that the prevalence of autoimmune disorders in celiac disease is related to the duration of exposure to gluten.

Prevalence of IgA-antiendomysium and IgA-antigliadin autoantibodies at diagnosis of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in Swedish children and adolescents

OBJECTIVE

This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of celiac disease (CD) in children and adolescents at diagnosis of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) before insulin treatment was started.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

At diagnosis of IDDM, and before treatment was started, 115 children and adolescents were screened for IgA- antiendomysium (EMA) and IgA-antigliadin antibodies (AGA). Those found to be EMA-positive and/or AGA-positive were investigated further with intestinal biopsy.

RESULTS

Of the 115 patients, 2 had known CD at diagnosis of IDDM; of the remainder of patients, 6% (7/113) were found to be EMA-positive and 9% (10/113) were found to have AGA levels above normal. Of the 6 patients who underwent biopsy, 5 manifested villous atrophy. In addition, 2 patients with high EMA and AGA antibody titers refused biopsy, and 4 patients with low EMA and/or AGA titers were found to have normal titers at control before biopsy decision.

CONCLUSION

Because the prevalence of CD at diagnosis of IDDM would seem to be 6% to 8%, screening for CD seems to be justified among patients with newly diagnosed IDDM.

Association of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and celiac disease: a study based on serologic markers

BACKGROUND

The association of celiac disease and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus has been known for some time. In an attempt to clarify this association, the prevalence of celiac disease among diabetic children was determined, and the risk of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus was defined in pediatric patients with celiac disease.

METHODS

Ninety-three children with diabetes were analyzed for the presence of celiac disease-related markers (antigliadin and antiendomysial antibodies) and characteristic alterations in the intestinal mucosa. In another group, 93 children with celiac disease were screened for pancreatic autoantibodies and pancreatic beta-cell function.

RESULTS

Among children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, a 6.45% prevalence of celiac disease was observed, a value significantly higher than that found among healthy controls. In contrast, only three celiac disease patients showed potential autoimmunity toward the pancreatic beta cell, a proportion not significantly different from that in the general population. Additionally, no alteration of glucose metabolism was observed in the antibody-positive patients.

CONCLUSION

The increased risk of celiac disease among patients with diabetes requires a long follow-up to determine the presence of celiac disease markers among patients with diabetes, to avoid potential malignant disease derived from untreated celiac disease. In contrast, there is no evidence to support an increased risk of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus among children with celiac disease. In accordance with the accepted influence of diet in the development of autoimmune diabetes, a hypothetical mechanism of protection against insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus that is mediated by environmental factors related to restricted diet is suggested in this population.

Celiac disease and selective immunoglobulin A deficiency

Selective IgA deficiency was observed in 12 of 688 (1.7%) patients with celiac disease who were clinically undistinguishable from patients with celiac disease with normal IgA levels. This high prevalence of IgA deficiency in patients with celiac disease makes serum IgA assay advisable when screening for celiac disease is performed by measurement of antigliadin antibodies or anti-IgA endomysium antibodies. Similarly, subjects with IgA deficiency should be considered at risk of celiac disease.