Coexistence of Autoimmune Disorders and Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus in Children: An Observation from Western Part of India

Prevalence of latent and overt polyautoimmunity in type 1 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Patients afflicted by type 1 diabetes (T1D) exhibit polyautoimmunity (PolyA). However, the frequency and distribution of PolyA in T1D is still unknown.

OBJECTIVE

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to define the prevalence of latent and overt PolyA in individuals with T1D.

METHODS

Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search across medical databases identified studies on latent and overt PolyA in T1D. Two researchers independently screened, extracted data, and assessed study quality. A random effects model was utilized to calculate the pooled prevalence, along with its corresponding 95 % confidence interval (CI), for latent PolyA and overt PolyA. Meta-regression analysis was conducted to study the effect of study designs, age, sex, and duration of disease on pooled prevalence.

RESULTS

A total of 158 articles, encompassing a diverse composition of study designs were scrutinized. The analysis included 270,890 individuals with a confirmed diagnosis of T1D. The gender was evenly distributed (50.30 % male). Notably, our analysis unveiled an overt PolyA prevalence rate of 8.50 % (95 % CI, 6.77 to 10.62), with North America having the highest rates (14.50 %, 95 % CI, 7.58 to 24.89). This PolyA profile was further characterized by a substantial incidence of concurrent autoimmune thyroid disease (7.44 %, 95 % CI, 5.65 to 9.74). Moreover, we identified a notable prevalence of latent PolyA in the T1D population, quantified at 14.45 % (95 % CI, 11.17 to 18.49) being most frequent in Asia (23.29 %, 95 % CI, 16.29 to 32.15) and Oceania (21.53 %, 95 % CI, 16.48 to 27.62). Remarkably, this latent PolyA phenomenon primarily featured an array of autoantibodies, including rheumatoid factor, followed by Ro52, thyroid peroxidase antibodies, and thyroglobulin antibodies. Duration of the disease was associated with a highest frequency of latent (β: 0.0456, P-value: 0.0140) and overt PolyA (β: 0.0373, P-value: 0.0152). No difference in the pooled prevalence by study design was observed.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis constitutes a substantial advancement in the realm of early detection of PolyA in the context of T1D. Individuals with T1D should regularly undergo assessments to identify potential concurrent autoimmune diseases, especially as they age.

Prevalence and Associated Clinical Features of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Among Children Presented to a Tertiary Health Care Center of Himalayan Foothills

Introduction Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a complex metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia. Knowing its prevalence, associated clinical features, and complications is essential for diagnosing children having diabetes-like clinical features. Since there is a limited study from India and no similar study from this geographical part, the present study was carried out. Material and method It is a cross-sectional study, which includes children aged 1-18 years presented to the pediatric outpatient department (OPD), inpatient department (IPD), and emergency with clinical features of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM). The enrolled cases were assessed for confirmation of T1DM, and clinical features and associated complications were recorded in the case record form. Result A total of 218 children with clinical features of T1DM were enrolled, out of which 32 (14.7%) had T1DM. Among the 32 T1DM patients, 31 (96.9%) of the participants presented with polyuria, 29 (90.6%) had polydipsia, and 13 (40.6%) had polyphagia. Out of 32 children, 3 (9.38%) had diabetic neuropathy, and 1 (3.1%) had diabetic retinopathy. Conclusion We found that many children with diabetes have clinical features of T1DM and uncontrolled blood sugar. This emphasizes the need for early detection and treatment to prevent long-term complications.

Co-existence of type 1 diabetes and other autoimmune ailments in subjects with autoimmune thyroid disorders

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Autoimmune thyroid dysfunction (AITD) is a significant autoimmune disorder affecting the population across age groups. The clustering of autoimmune diseases tends to occur within the same patients and families. Thus, this study aimed to determine the association of Type 1 diabetes and other autoimmune ailments in patients with autoimmune thyroid disorders.

METHODS

We performed a cross-sectional study, evaluating 500 subjects with a diagnosis of AITD (130 with Graves' disease; 370 with Hashimoto's thyroiditis) on presentation to our tertiary care centre to ascertain the prevalence of associated autoimmune disorders.

RESULTS

The frequency of Type 1 diabetes and other autoimmune disorders was 18.5% in Graves' disease and 27.8% in Hashimoto's thyroiditis patients. Coeliac disease (8.8%) (found in 6.9% of Graves' disease and 9.5% of Hashimoto's thyroiditis patients) and type 1 diabetes (7.8%) (found in 3.1% of Graves' disease and 9.5% of Hashimoto's thyroiditis patients) were the most common coexisting autoimmune disorders. Rheumatoid arthritis was the most common non-endocrine autoimmunity (2.8%). Female sex and duration of AITD more than five years were associated with increased odds of associated autoimmune disorders.

CONCLUSION

A high prevalence of associated autoimmune disorders was observed in subjects with autoimmune thyroid dysfunction. We suggest the patients who remain symptomatic and those who develop other symptoms even with appropriate treatment undergo screening for associated autoimmune disorders, thus preventing a delay in diagnosis.

Profile of Auto-antibodies (Disease Related and Other) in Children with Type 1 Diabetes

BACKGROUND

Type 1 diabetes is associated with several disease-related and other organ-specific autoimmune disorders. Data related to various auto-antibodies in Type 1 diabetes in India is limited.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this cross sectional study, 92 subjects with T1DM (33 males, 59 females) were evaluated for T1DM related antibodies (autoantibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase (anti-GAD), autoantibodies to protein tyrosine phosphatise (anti-IA2), anti-islet cell antibody (ICA), insulin autoantibody (IAA), anti-Zinc Transporter(ZnT8) and other organ specific auto antibodies like anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO), anti-thyroglobulin (TgAb), IgA anti-tissue transglutaminase (IgA anti-tTG), anti-21-hydroxylase, and anti-ovarian antibody (in females).

RESULTS

Anti-GAD, IA-2, islet cell antibody, insulin autoantibodies (IAA), ZnT8 antibody were present in 79.3%, 32.6%, 61.9%, 63%, and 20.65% subjects, respectively. Only 2.2% patients with Type 1 diabetes were antibody negative. At least one antibody was found in 97.8% and at least two antibodies in 67.3%. The presence of anti-TPO, anti-thyroglobulin, IgA anti-tissue transglutaminase, anti 21-hydroxylase were found in 51%, 25%, 22.8%, and 2.1%, respectively. Anti-ovarian antibody was absent in all females of our study population. The duration of diabetes positively correlated with the number of T1DM specific antibody and also with GAD antibody positivity. Anti TPO positivity correlated with the age of onset of T1DM, but not with the duration of disease or presence of other T1DM specific autoantibody.

CONCLUSIONS

T1DM is associated with a high prevalence of autoantibodies and antibody negative T1DM is rare. The association with other organ specific antibody (especially thyroid and adrenal glands) and celiac disease is also substantial, which reinforces the importance of regular thyroid and celiac disease screening in T1DM subjects. The duration of diabetes positively correlated with number of T1DM specific antibodies.