Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by elevated blood glucose levels as a result of insufficient insulin levels. In type 1 diabetes there is an absolute insufficiency of insulin and external insulin is required for glycemic control.
Young people with type 1 diabetes are more predisposed to celiac disease, according to the results of a study published in Diabetes Care. In addition, people with type 1 diabetes also have celiac disease in 5% of cases. It should be noted that, within the total population, the prevalence of celiac disease is only 1%.
By comparing these data around the world, databases of patients in different countries were checked: Austria, Germany, United Kingdom, United States and Australia. In total, the prevalence of celiac disease was examined in 52,721 children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes, between 2013 and 2014.
The results reflected great differences between the different countries. For example, while in the United States 1.9% of cases were obtained in which both diseases occurred, in Australia that percentage rise to 7.7%. Regarding the total figures, including all the countries in the study, the prevalence of celiac disease was 3.5% among type 1 diabetics. In addition, it was concluded that young girls are much more likely to suffer from type 1 diabetes and celiac disease since it was determined that 4.3% of them suffered from both diseases compared to 2.7% of them.
