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?

Frequency of Celiac Disease and Spontaneous Normalization Rate of Celiac Serology in Children and Adolescent Patients with Type 1 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE

The prevalence of celiac disease (CD) varies between 1% and 10% in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). This study aimed to determine the frequency of spontaneous recovery of celiac serology and the biopsy-proven CD (BPCD) frequency in patients with T1DM.

METHODS

The data of 668 patients with available celiac serology tests from a total of 779 patients who were followed for the last 10 years with the diagnosis of T1DM were retrospectively evaluated.

RESULTS

Positive serology was detected in 103 out of 668 (15.4%) patients. There was spontaneous normalization in 24 (23.3%), fluctuation in 11 (10.7%) and permanently positive serology in 68 (66%). In 46 out of 53 (86.8%) patients with positive serology and biopsy, CD diagnosis was confirmed by biopsy (BPCD). The frequency of BPCD was 6.9%, and the serology in 76.1% was positive at the time of diagnosis of T1DM. The weight, height and body mass index-standard deviation score at diagnosis were lower in patients with BPCD compared to the group without CD. An anti-tissue transglutaminase-IgA (anti-TTG-IgA) level of 11.8 times the upper limit of normal was the most sensitive (93%) and specific (90%) cut-off for BPCD (area under the curve: 0.95; 95% confidence interval: 0.912-1; p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

In our cohort, the frequency of positive serology for CD was 15.4%, while the rate of BPCD was 6.9%. The majority (97.8%) of cases were diagnosed within the first five years of T1DM. In 23.3% of cases, positive anti-TTG-IgA spontaneously resolved without a gluten-free diet (GFD). Therefore, serological follow-up instead of immediate duodenal biopsy or GFD therapy, particularly for patients with asymptomatic and mild anti-TTG IgA level, is warranted.

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.

Celiac disease in subjects with type 1 diabetes mellitus: a prevalence study in western Sicily (Italy)

The association between celiac disease and type 1 diabetes mellitus is well known. Up to now, celiac disease prevalence in children and adults with type 1 diabetes in Sicily has not been reported. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of celiac disease in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus who come from a defined geographical area in western Sicily and to investigate the clinical features of these subjects. The records of 492 consecutive patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus referred in a period of 5 years were analyzed. During the period of the survey, out of 492 patients with type 1 diabetes, 22 (4.5 %) had a previous diagnosis of celiac disease. There were 14 females and 8 males; these patients showed a mean age of 13 years at diabetes onset. Diagnosis of celiac disease was often simultaneous or subsequent to that of diabetes. Autoimmune thyroiditis was coexisting in 8 patients (36 %). Our data confirm, in a Sicilian population, the not unusual association between celiac disease and type 1 diabetes, although prevalence rate is lower than in others Italian studies. Autoimmune thyroiditis is present with high prevalence in these patients. Celiac disease diagnosis often followed onset of type 1 diabetes, particularly in female subjects with a young age at diabetes onset; therefore, in these subjects, an active search for the presence of celiac disease is warranted for many years after appearance of diabetes.

The prevalence and risk factors for coeliac disease among children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus

AIMS

Our aim was to determine in children with T1DM the prevalence of positive antibodies against tissue transglutaminase (anti-tTG IgA) as indices of coeliac disease (CD), as well as its clinical presentation, its determinants and its association with thyroid (anti-TG, anti-TPO) and pancreatic b-cell autoimmunity (anti-GAD).

METHODS

The study included 105 children and adolescents with T1DM, aged (mean±SD) 12.44±4.76 years, with a T1DM duration of 4.41±3.70 years.

RESULTS

Fifty of our patients (47.6%) were positive for anti-GAD, 9/105 (8.6%) for anti-tTG IgA and 21/105(20%) for anti-thyroid antibodies. The anti-tTG IgA (+) children, in comparison with the rest of the study population, were of younger age (9.31 vs. 12.74 years, p=0.038), shorter diabetes duration (2.16 vs. 4.62 years, p=0.056) and had mild growth impairment (height SDS: -0.55 vs. +0.20, p=0.055). Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the presence of anti-tTG IgA (+) was associated with younger age and shorter T1DM duration. Only 5/9 (55.6%) children with high titres of anti-tTG IgA developed mild gastrointestinal symptoms or growth retardation and had histological findings typical of CD.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of anti-tTG IgA positivity among T1DM children was 8.6% and its occurrence was associated with younger age and short diabetes duration. Since CD presents in T1DM patients asymptomatically or with non-specific symptoms, periodic autoantibody screening is necessary for its early diagnosis.

Prevalence of autoimmune diseases in islet transplant candidates with severe hypoglycaemia and glycaemic lability: previously undiagnosed coeliac and autoimmune thyroid disease is identified by screening

AIMS

Autoimmune diseases such as Addison's or coeliac disease can contribute to hypoglycaemia or malabsorption and are more common in Type 1 diabetes (T1DM). This brief report describes the prevalence of known and newly detected autoimmune disease in clinical islet transplant candidates with longstanding T1DM and severe hypoglycaemia and/or glycaemic lability who are routinely screened for coexisting autoimmune disease.

METHODS

One hundred and twenty-four C-peptide negative T1DM subjects [77 (62%) female, mean age 44 +/- 9 years, diabetes duration 28 +/- 11 years, body mass index 24.9 +/- 3.5 kg/m(2)] with indications for clinical islet transplantation at the University of Alberta were screened for autoimmune disease by history and measurement of anti-transglutaminase antibodies (positive > 10 U/ml), 09.00 h cortisol (followed by adrenocorticotrophic hormone-stimulation if < 495 nmol/l) and thyroid-stimulating hormone to determine the prevalence of coeliac disease, Addison's disease and autoimmune thyroid disease, respectively.

RESULTS

Forty per cent of subjects had one or more coexisting autoimmune disease. The prevalence of autoimmune disease was 35%, coeliac disease 8% and Addison's disease 1.6%. In 11 individuals (9%), one or more autoimmune disease were newly detected (seven coeliac disease and five thyroid disease). Seven of 10 cases of coeliac disease were newly detected. A gluten-free diet in individuals with newly diagnosed coeliac disease reduced gastrointestinal symptoms, but indications for clinical islet cell transplantation persisted.

CONCLUSIONS

Coexisting autoimmune disease is common in candidates for clinical islet cell transplantation. Screening in this group identified a substantial number of previously unrecognized cases. Clinicians should consider the presence of autoimmune disease even in the absence of classical symptoms.

The prevalence of celiac disease in average-risk and at-risk Western European populations: a systematic review

Until recently, celiac disease (CD) was felt to be a rare disease in the United States. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the prevalence of CD in general Western populations and in populations at high risk for CD. Standard systematic review methodology was used. A literature search was conducted in MEDLINE (1966 to October 2003) and EMBASE (1974 to December 2003) databases. Qualitative and quantitative prevalence estimates were produced after assessing study heterogeneity. The prevalence of CD in general Western populations is close to 1% and is somewhat higher in certain Western European populations. The prevalence of CD in populations at risk for CD is as follows: 3%-6% in type 1 diabetic patients, up to 20% in first-degree relatives, 10%-15% in symptomatic iron-deficiency anemia (IDA), 3%-6% in asymptomatic IDA, and 1%-3% in osteoporosis. The prevalence of CD in patients suspected of having CD varied depending on the reasons for suspecting CD and on whether the study was conducted in a referral center. In general, the prevalence ranged from 5% to 15%, but was up to 50% in symptomatic patients evaluated in a tertiary referral center. CD is a common medical condition. The prevalence is higher still in high-risk groups. Clinicians in a variety of specialties should have a high index of suspicion for the diagnosis of CD and in particular need to pay close attention to the identified high-risk groups.

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.

Endocrine aspects of coeliac disease

Coeliac disease (CD) is a permanent intolerance to gluten that results in damage of the small intestinal mucosa, and it is one of the common causes of chronic malabsorption in children. It is well known that patients with CD are at great risk of malignant complications, but in patients with CD many other disorders have been recognized. Autoimmunity diseases, such as type 1 diabetes mellitus, thyroid diseases, and autoimmune polyglandular syndromes are known to be associated with CD, and they seem to be related to gluten exposure. Growth, bone metabolism, and fertility can be affected in patients with CD, especially if they are not on a gluten-free diet. We review the literature on endocrine aspects of CD, because patients with CD are at great risk of developing endocrine disorders.