Presence of Celiac Disease in Type 1 Diabetic Patients Presenting at Jinnah Hospital, Lahore

Abstract

Background: Celiac disease (CD) is an auto-immune disease that usually occurs in genetically susceptible persons and is activated by gluten components of wheat. Type 1 diabetes is associated with CD with a prevalence rate of 4-6% but there is a lack of data on its prevalence in Pakistan.

Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the frequency of CD in patients having Type 1 diabetes presenting in Diabetic center (JAIDE) Jinnah Hospital Lahore and to observe its various clinical characteristics.

Methodology: In this cross sectional study, 68 patients following up for treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus undergoing insulin therapy were selected. This study was conducted from July 2013 to January 2014 at JAIDE (Jinnah Allama Iqbal Institute of Diabetes and Endocrinology), Lahore. IgA anti tissue transglutaminase assay was used for screening of CD. Gluten free diet was advised in patients who turned out to be positive for CD. Patients were having the mean age of 15.8 ± 5.7 years. Positive antibodies were found in 8.8% patients having 33.3% males and 66.7% females with CD and 91.2% patients had no antibodies. In most of the cases, CD was silent and diagnosis of diabetes and CD was also unpredictable.

Conclusion: It is concluded that CD is very high in type 1 diabetic patients. Hence, screening for CD in type 1 diabetic patients should be done in order to have a better glycemic control and to prevent its long term complications.