Correlation of Celiac Disease with Type I Diabetes mellitus.

Abstract

Background: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (Type 1 DM) and Celiac disease (CD) are autoimmune disorders with a common genetic basis. Celiac disease often presents with atypical findings or sometimes asymptomatic, leading to delayed diagnosis and potential complications. The objective of our study is to evaluate the correlation of Celiac Disease (CD) with type I Diabetes Mellitus (DM). Methods: This cross-sectional study, uniquely designed and executed, involved 77 Type 1 DM patients sampled via purposive sampling. The criteria for diagnosing the type I DM patient was fasting blood sugar > 126 mg/dl and HbA1c > 6.5%. Levels of IgA anti-tissue transglutaminase TTG (IgA) antibodies was measured. In patients with negative result but with strong clinical suspicion of CD, serum IgA and IgG anti-tissue transglutaminase (TTG) antibodies performed. The value above reference range was considered positive for Celiac disease. The data were meticulously analyzed using SPSS V.26, with significance at a p-value < 0.05. Results: In our study the mean age was 21±9.24 years. There were 43(55.8%) males, while 34(44.2%) were female. The male to female ratio was 1.26:1. The mean duration of DM was 9.46+8.1 years and HbA1c level 9.51+ 2.03. There was weight loss 42 (54.5%), abdominal pain 20 (26%), pallor 17 ( 22%) and diarrhea 14 (18.2%) in patients. The weight loss, abdominal pain and diarrhea was found significant (p<0.005), while pallor was not significant. The Anti- TTG IgA 94.11% and Anti-TTG IgG 5.89% was positive in Type I DM patients. Conclusion: Serological evidence of CD is present in patients at the time of diagnosis of Type 1 DM. Thus, screening for CD must be part of the standard of care for every newly diagnosed diabetic patient.