Celiac Disease Increases Risk of Thyroid Disease in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes: A Nationwide Cohort Study

Clinical spectrum & changing presentation of celiac disease in Indian children

Background & objectives

Celiac disease (CD) is a genetic immune mediated disorder characterised by gluten intolerance. This single centre study, from north India was aimed to assess the clinical, serological and histological profile of CD in a large cohort of children and the changing trends in its presentation.

Methods

A review of clinical details of CD children diagnosed between 2000 and 2019 and currently on follow up was performed. Information on demography, symptoms, associated conditions, serology, biopsy findings and gluten-free diet were analyzed.

Results

The mean age (±standard deviation) of 891 children included in the study, at onset and at diagnosis was 4.0±2.7 and 6.2±3.1 yr, respectively. Growth faltering, abdominal pain, abdominal distension and diarrhoea were presenting symptoms in 70, 64.2, 61.2 and 58.2 per cent, respectively. A positive family history of CD was present in 14 per cent and autoimmune conditions in 12.3 per cent of children. Thyroid disorders were seen in 8.5 per cent of children and Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in 5.7 per cent. The duration of breastfeeding had a weak positive correlation with age at onset and diagnosis of CD (P<0.001). Non-classical CD was significantly more common in children aged >10 yr and in those presenting after 2010 (P<0.01). T1DM and hypothyroidism occurred more frequently in non-compliant children.

Interpretation & conclusions

This was the largest single centre study, pertaining to the presentation and follow up of CD in children. Infants and young children were more likely to present with classical symptoms of diarrhoea, abdominal distension and growth failure while older children presented with non-classical CD. There was a trend towards non-classical forms of CD in recent years.

ESPGHAN Position Paper on Management and Follow-up of Children and Adolescents With Celiac Disease

OBJECTIVES

To gather the current evidence and to offer recommendations for follow-up and management.

METHODS

The Special Interest Group on Celiac Diseases of the European Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition formulated ten questions considered to be essential for follow-up care. A literature search (January 2010-March 2020) was performed in PubMed or Medline. Relevant publications were identified and potentially eligible studies were assessed. Statements and recommendations were developed and discussed by all coauthors. Recommendations were voted upon: joint agreement was set as at least 85%.

RESULTS

Publications (n = 2775) were identified and 164 were included. Using evidence or expert opinion, 37 recommendations were formulated on: The need to perform follow-up, its frequency and what should be assessed, how to assess adherence to the gluten-free diet, when to expect catch-up growth, how to treat anemia, how to approach persistent high serum levels of antibodies against tissue-transglutaminase, the indication to perform biopsies, assessment of quality of life, management of children with unclear diagnosis for which a gluten-challenge is indicated, children with associated type 1 diabetes or IgA deficiency, cases of potential celiac disease, which professionals should perform follow-up, how to improve the communication to patients and their parents/caregivers and transition from pediatric to adult health care.

CONCLUSIONS

We offer recommendations to improve follow-up of children and adolescents with celiac disease and highlight gaps that should be investigated to further improve management.

Review article: Follow-up of coeliac disease

Coeliac disease is a lifelong immune-mediated enteropathy with systemic features associated with increased morbidity and modestly increased mortality. Treatment with a strict gluten-free diet improves symptoms and mucosal damage but is not curative and low-level gluten intake is common despite strict attempts at adherence. Regular follow-up after diagnosis is considered best-practice however this is executed poorly in the community with the problem compounded by the paucity of data informing optimal approaches. The aim of dietary treatment is to resolve symptoms, reduce complication risk and improve quality of life. It follows that the goals of monitoring are to assess dietary adherence, monitor disease activity, assess symptoms and screen for complications. Mucosal disease remission is regarded a key measure of treatment success as healing is associated with positive health outcomes. However, persistent villous atrophy is common, even after many years of a gluten-free diet. As the clinical significance of asymptomatic enteropathy is uncertain the role for routine follow-up biopsies remains contentious. Symptomatic non-responsive coeliac disease is common and with systematic follow-up a cause is usually found. Effective models of care involving the gastroenterologist, dietitian and primary care doctor will improve the consistency of long-term management and likely translate into better patient outcomes. Identifying suitable treatment targets linked to long-term health is an important goal.

Gene Expression Signatures Reveal Common Virus Infection Pathways in Target Tissues of Type 1 Diabetes, Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, and Celiac Disease

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) patients are at heightened risk for other autoimmune disorders, particularly Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) and celiac disease (CD). Recent evidence suggests that target tissues of autoimmune diseases engage in a harmful dialogue with the immune system. However, it is unclear whether shared mechanisms drive similar molecular signatures at the target tissues among T1D, HT, and CD. In our current study, microarray datasets were obtained and mined to identify gene signatures from disease-specific targeted tissues including the pancreas, thyroid, and intestine from individuals with T1D, HT, and CD, as well as their matched controls. Further, the threshold-free algorithm rank-rank hypergeometric overlap analysis (RRHO) was used to compare the genomic signatures of the target tissues of the three autoimmune diseases. Next, promising drugs that could potentially reverse the observed signatures in patients with two or more autoimmune disorders were identified using the cloud-based CLUE software platform. Finally, microarray data of auto-antibody positive individuals but not diagnosed with T1D and single cell sequencing data of patients with T1D and HT were used to validate the shared transcriptomic fingerprint. Our findings revealed significant common gene expression changes in target tissues of the three autoimmune diseases studied, many of which are associated with virus infections, including influenza A, human T-lymphotropic virus type 1, and herpes simplex infection. These findings support the importance of common environmental factors in the pathogenesis of T1D, HT, and CD.

Review on pediatric coeliac disease from a clinical perspective

Coeliac disease is an immune-mediated condition characterized by chronic inflammation of the small bowel with villous atrophy driven by gluten ingestion in genetically predisposed individuals. It occurs frequently in both children and adults, affecting 1-4% of the population. The disease is associated with both gastrointestinal and extra-intestinal symptoms related to malabsorption and/or immune activation, and autoantibodies to tissue transglutaminase. Removal of gluten from the diet results in resolution of symptoms and enteropathy in the majority of patients. A good diagnostic work-up is important to avoid unnecessary restrictive diets in children. In this review on pediatric coeliac disease, we address epidemiology including predisposing environmental factors and possible preventive strategies, as well as the clinical presentation, diagnosis and follow-up. What is Known: •Primary prevention of coeliac disease is not possible; however, secondary prevention by targeting high-risk groups is recommended. •The diagnosis is safe without duodenal biopsies if specific conditions are met, also in asymptomatic children. What is New: •HLA-DQ typing is not routinely required for the diagnosis, whereas it can rule out coeliac disease if HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 are absent. •Follow-up could be improved by a more rational use of (laboratory) tests, increased intention to dietary compliance and quality of life.

The prevalence of celiac disease in Saudi patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND

Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disease that is highly associated with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). The reported prevalence of CD in patients with T1DM in Saudi Arabia varies and the number of studies is limited.

OBJECTIVES

Determine the prevalence of CD diagnosed with anti-tissue transglutaminase (anti-tTG) antibodies or by endoscopic biopsy in adolescents and adults with T1DM.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional, retrospective medical record review.

SETTING

Tertiary care center.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study population included adolescents and adults with T1DM who were screened for CD between 2010 and 2019. The study variables included age, sex, age at diagnosis of T1DM, age of positive celiac screening, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), total daily insulin dose, frequency of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and other autoimmune diseases.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The prevalence of celiac disease in adolescents and adults with T1DM.

SAMPLE SIZE

539 patients.

RESULTS

The prevalence of positive celiac test results was 11.5% (n=62). A small proportion (n=5, 8%) of the positive CD group was diagnosed with T1DM after they tested positive with the celiac screening test. Ten (16%) were diagnosed with T1DM and CD in the same year. The rest of the sample had a positive screening test after being diagnosed with T1DM. There was no statistically significant difference between the CD positive and negative groups for HbA1C, DKA frequency, microvascular complications of diabetes or thyroid disorder. For histopathological confirmation of CD, only 37% (n=23) of the group with a positive screening test underwent endoscopy. In this group, 43% (n=10) had normal endoscopic biopsy findings, 21.7% (n=5) had partial villous atrophy and 34.7% (n=8) had total villous atrophy.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights the importance of screening for CD in T1DM patients. CD prevalence is high in patients with T1DM, despite the high likelihood of underdiagnosis. Additional studies of different age groups and the use of different study methods are required. In addition, a unified national strategy to diagnose CD in T1DM patients is highly advisable.

LIMITATIONS

Retrospective, single-center, few confirmations of CD by intestinal biopsy.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

None.

Gluten intake and risk of thyroid peroxidase autoantibodies in the Diabetes Autoimmunity Study In the Young (DAISY)

PURPOSE

Autoimmune diseases co-occur, perhaps due to common risk factors. The age at gluten introduction and gluten intake in early childhood has been associated with the autoimmunity preceding celiac disease (CD) and type-1 diabetes (T1D). We explored their associations with the development of thyroid autoimmunity.

METHODS

DAISY has prospectively followed children at increased risk for T1D and CD since 1993. During follow-up, 107 children developed thyroid autoimmunity, defined as positivity for autoantibodies against thyroid peroxidase on at least two study visits. Age at gluten introduction was ascertained from food history interviews every 3 months until 15 months of age. Gluten intake (g/day) at age 1-2 years was estimated using a food frequency questionnaire.

RESULTS

From multivariable Cox regression, there was no association between the age of gluten introduction nor the amount of gluten intake and development of thyroid autoimmunity. However, females (hazard ratio = 2.19, 95% CI: 1.46, 3.27) and cases of islet autoimmunity (HR = 2.20, 95% CI: 1.39, 3.50) were significantly more likely to develop thyroid autoimmunity, while exposure to environmental tobacco smoke decreased the risk (HR = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.30, 0.71).

CONCLUSIONS

Neither the age of gluten introduction nor the amount of gluten consumed in early childhood is associated with risk of thyroid autoimmunity.

Current Evidence on the Efficacy of Gluten-Free Diets in Multiple Sclerosis, Psoriasis, Type 1 Diabetes and Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases

In this review, we summarize the clinical data addressing a potential role for gluten in multiple sclerosis (MS), psoriasis, type 1 diabetes (T1D) and autoimmune thyroid diseases (ATDs). Furthermore, data on the prevalence of celiac disease (CD) and gluten-related antibodies in the above patient groups are presented. Adequately powered and properly controlled intervention trials investigating the effects of a gluten-free diet (GFD) in non-celiac patients with MS, psoriasis, T1D or ATDs are lacking. Only one clinical trial has studied the effects of a GFD among patients with MS. The trial found significant results, but it is subject to major methodological limitations. A few publications have found beneficial effects of a GFD in a subgroup of patients with psoriasis that were seropositive for anti-gliadin or deamidated gliadin antibodies, but no effects were seen among seronegative patients. Studies on the role of gluten in T1D are contradictive, however, it seems likely that a GFD may contribute to normalizing metabolic control without affecting levels of islet autoantibodies. Lastly, the effects of a GFD in non-celiac patients with ATDs have not been studied yet, but some publications report that thyroid-related antibodies respond to a GFD in patients with concomitant CD and ATDs. Overall, there is currently not enough evidence to recommend a GFD to non-celiac patients with MS, psoriasis, ATDs or T1D.

Community-Based Study of Celiac Disease Autoimmunity Progression in Adults

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Celiac disease can develop at any age, but outcomes of adults with positive results from serologic tests for tissue transglutaminase antibodies (tTGA) without endoscopic determination of celiac disease (called celiac autoimmunity) have not been thoroughly evaluated. We investigated the proportion of adults with celiac autoimmunity at a community medical center and their progression to celiac disease.

METHODS

We analyzed waste blood samples from a community clinic from 15,551 adults for tTGA and, if titer results were above 2 U/mL, for endomysial antibody. The blood samples had been collected at 2 time points (median interval, 8.8 years) from 2006 through 2017. We collected data from the clinic on diagnoses of celiac disease based on duodenal biopsy analysis.

RESULTS

Of the serum samples collected at the first time point, 15,398 had negative results for tTGA, and 153 had positive results for tTGA (>4 U/mL). Based on medical records, 6 individuals received a diagnosis of celiac disease, for a cumulative incidence of celiac disease diagnosis of 0.06% (95% confidence interval, 0.01-0.11). Forty-nine (0.32%) individuals with a negative result from the first serologic test for tTGA had a positive result from the second test. Among the 153 adults who were tTGA positive at the first time point, 31 (20%) had a subsequent diagnosis of celiac disease, 81 (53%) remained positive for tTGA without a clinical diagnosis of celiac disease, and 41 (27%) had negative test results for tTGA at the second time point. Higher initial tTGA titers, female sex, and a history of hypothyroidism and autoimmune disease were associated with increased risks of subsequent diagnosis of celiac disease. Interestingly, adults whose first blood sample had a positive test result but second blood sample had a negative result for tTGA were older, had lower-than-average initial tTGA titer results, and had a higher mean body mass index than adults whose blood samples were positive for tTGA at both time points and adults later diagnosed with celiac disease.

CONCLUSIONS

In an analysis of serum samples collected from a community clinic an average of 8.8 years apart, we found that fewer than 1% of adults with negative results from an initial test for tTGA have a positive result on a second test. Of adults with positive results from the test for tTGA, only 20% are later diagnosed with celiac disease; the remaining individuals maintain persistent increases in tTGA without diagnoses of celiac disease or have negative results from second tests.

Increasing Co-occurrence of Additional Autoimmune Disorders at Diabetes Type 1 Onset Among Children and Adolescents Diagnosed in Years 2010-2018-Single-Center Study

Objectives: The prevalence of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) in children is growing, but its relation to other autoimmune disorders that coexist since the onset of diabetes is not recognized. The objective of this study was to assess the incidence of T1D and the prevalence of autoimmune illnesses additionally coexisting since the diabetes mellitus onset in children during a period of 9 years' observation. Methods: In this retrospective study, the incidence rate (IR) of the T1D was calculated as the total number of all cases that were newly diagnosed per 100,000 population people between 0 and 18 years of age. The selected age groups (0-4, 5-9, 10-14, and 15-18 years) were examined, respectively. The studied group included 493 children (264 [53.55%] boys) between 0 and 18 years old newly diagnosed with T1D in one of the Polish centers in the years 2010-2018. Other autoimmune illnesses diagnoses were obtained from medical records taken from the first hospital treatment, when T1D was recognized. Results: The annual standardized IR of T1D increased from 19.2/100,000 in year 2010 to 31.7/100,000 in 2018 (1.7-fold over 9 years' observation), with an increase in the incidence rate ratio (IRR) by 4% per year. The highest growth in IR was recorded in 5- to 9-year-olds (from 19.61 in 2010 to 43.45 in 2018). In 61 (12.4%) of the studied group, at least one additional autoimmune disease was diagnosed. The prevalence doubled from 10.4% in the year 2010 to 20.8% in the year 2018. Autoimmune thyroid illnesses were found in 37 children (7.5%); their incidence increased from 6.3% to almost 2-fold, 12.5%, in 2018. In 26 children (5.3%), celiac disease was recognized; the prevalence increased from 4.2 to 9.8% in the study period. The prevalence of additional autoimmune thyroid disease was higher in glutamic acid decarboxylase-positive antibodies (χ² = 3.4, p = 0.04) patients, the oldest age group (15-18 years) (χ² =7.1, p = 0.06), and in girls (χ² =7.1, p = 0.007). Conclusions:The standardized IR of T1D in children increased 1.7-fold over the 9-year observation period, and IRR increased 4% per year. Additional autoimmunity represents a significant comorbidity in patients with new-onset T1D. The number of children diagnosed with additional autoimmune diseases that accompany T1D is rapidly growing in all age groups throughout recent years.

Endocrine complications of celiac disease: a case report and review of the literature

PURPOSE

The purpose of this article is to review recent literature regarding endocrine disorders related to celiac disease (CD).

METHODS

We describe a case report and review existing literature on the endocrine manifestations of CD.

RESULTS

CD is an autoimmune disorder characterized by intestinal inflammation in response to gluten. CD can cause a wide range of extra-intestinal complications, including endocrine manifestations. Metabolic bone disease including osteoporosis and osteopenia, vitamin D deficiency, secondary hyperparathyroidism and less frequently osteomalacia can be seen. In CD, fracture risk is increased by 30-40%, while risk for hip fracture is approximately doubled. The risk for other endocrine disorders, particularly autoimmune endocrinopathies, is also increased in those with CD compared to the general population. Epidemiologic data indicate the risk for hypothyroidism is 3-4 times higher among those with CD, while risk of type 1 diabetes is greater than double. Risk for primary adrenal insufficiency is a striking 11-fold higher in those with versus without CD, though the absolute risk is low. Fertility is reduced in women with CD before diagnosis by 37% while male fertility in the absence of hypogonadism does not appear to be affected. Other endocrine conditions including hyperthyroidism, ovarian failure, androgen insensitivity, impaired growth and growth hormone deficiency and autoimmune polyendocrine syndromes have also been associated with CD.

CONCLUSIONS

CD is associated with a wide range of endocrine manifestations.

A new therapeutic approach for type 1 diabetes: Rationale for GNbAC1, an anti-HERV-W-Env monoclonal antibody

We describe a newly identified therapeutic target for type 1 diabetes (T1D): an envelope protein of endogenous retroviral origin, human endogenous retrovirus W envelope (HERV-W-Env). HERV-W-Env was found to be detected in the blood of ~60% of patients with T1D and is expressed in acinar pancreatic cells of 75% of patients with T1D at post mortem examination. Preclinical experiments showed that this protein displays direct cytotoxicity on human β-islet cells. In vivo HERV-W-Env impairs the insulin and glucose metabolism in transgenic mice expressing HERV-W-Env. GNbAC1, an IgG4 monoclonal antibody, has been developed to specifically target HERV-W-Env and to neutralize the effect of HERV-W-Env in vitro and in vivo. GNbAC1 is currently in clinical development for multiple sclerosis and > 300 subjects have been administered with GNbAC1 so far. GNbAC1 is now being tested in T1D in the RAINBOW-T1D study, which is a randomized placebo-controlled study with the objective of showing the safety and pharmacodynamic response of GNbAC1 in patients who have had T1D with a maximum of 4 years' duration. GNbAC1 is being tested vs placebo at the dose of 6 mg/kg in 60 patients during six repeated administrations for 6 months; a 6-month open-label extension will follow. The primary endpoint is to assess safety, and secondary endpoints are the pharmacodynamic responses to GNbAC1. GNbAC1 targeting HERV-W-Env is currently in clinical development in T1D, with the first safety and pharmacodynamic study. If the study results are positive, this may open the door to the development of an innovative non-immunomodulatory disease-modifying treatment for T1D.

Identification of peculiar gene expression profile in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of celiac patients on gluten free diet

Celiac disease (CD) is a systemic disorder characterized by an immune-mediated reaction to gluten and a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. Currently, the main treatment of CD is represented by adherence to a gluten-free diet (GFD) which determines the resolution of symptoms, and the normalization of the serology and of the duodenal villous atrophy. In the present study, we aimed to identify changes in gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of celiac patients on GFD for at least 2 years, in order to identify novel disease biomarkers and candidate targets for putative therapeutic approaches. Microarray analysis was performed on PBMCs from 17 celiac patients on long-term GFD and 20 healthy controls. We identified 517 annotated genes that were significantly modulated between celiac patients and controls. Significant biological pathways were functionally clustered using the Core Function of Ingenuity System Pathway Analysis (IPA). Intriguingly, despite being on a GFD, celiac patients exhibited a peculiar PBMC profile characterized by an aberrant expression of genes involved in the regulation of immunity, inflammatory response, metabolism, and cell proliferation. Random forest algorithm was then used to validate the prediction ability of core genes as classifiers of the "celiac status". In conclusion, our study identified a characteristic PBMCs signature profile in clinically asymptomatic celiac patient.

Type 1 Diabetes, Celiac Disease, and Neuropathy-A Nationwide Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE

Both type 1 diabetes (T1D) and celiac disease (CD) have been linked to an increased risk of neuropathy. This study examined the risk of neuropathy in patients with T1D compared with patients with both T1D and CD.

METHODS

In a nationwide population-based cohort, T1D was defined as having a diagnosis of diabetes between 1964 and 2009 recorded in the Swedish National Patient Register in individuals ≤30 years of age. CD was defined as having villous atrophy (Marsh histopathology stage III) on small intestinal biopsy. CD cases were identified through biopsies examined between 1969 and 2008 at any of Sweden's 28 pathology departments. Nine hundred fifty-eight patients had both T1D and CD and were matched for sex, age, and calendar period with 4590 controls who only had T1D. Through Cox regression analysis, with CD as the time-dependent covariate, we estimated the risk of neuropathy in T1D patients with CD.

RESULTS

Fifty-four individuals with T1D and CD had later neuropathy (expected: n = 42). This corresponded to an adjusted hazard ratio of 1.27 (95% confidence interval = 0.95-1.71) compared with those who had T1D alone. The hazard ratio was statistically significant in the first 5 years with CD (1.67; 95% confidence interval = 1.13-2.47) but decreased to neutrality thereafter. Risk estimates were similar in men and women, and did not differ by age at CD onset.

CONCLUSIONS

CD does not seem to influence the risk of neuropathy in individuals with T1D, although a small excess risk cannot be ruled out.

Not Only Glycaemic But Also Other Metabolic Factors Affect T Regulatory Cell Counts and Proinflammatory Cytokine Levels in Women with Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetic (T1D) patients suffer from insulinopenia and hyperglycaemia. Studies have shown that if a patient's hyperglycaemic environment is not compensated, it leads to complex immune dysfunctions. Similarly, T1D mothers with poor glycaemic control exert a negative impact on the immune responses of their newborns. However, questions concerning the impact of other metabolic disturbances on the immune system of T1D mothers (and their newborns) have been raised. To address these questions, we examined 28 T1D women in reproductive age for the relationship between various metabolic, clinical, and immune parameters. Our study revealed several unexpected correlations which are indicative of a much more complex relationship between glucose and lipid factors (namely, glycosylated haemoglobin Hb1Ac, the presence of one but not multiple chronic diabetic complications, and atherogenic indexes) and proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1alpha and TNF-alpha). Regulatory T cell counts correlated with HbA1c, diabetic neuropathy, lipid spectra parameters, and IL-6 levels. Total T-helper cell count was interconnected with BMI and glycaemia variability correlated with lipid spectra parameters, insulin dose, and vitamin D levels. These and other correlations revealed in this study provide broader insight into the association of various metabolic abnormalities with immune parameters that may impact T1D mothers or their developing child.