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

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Abstract

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.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Diabetology, Paolo Borsellino Hospital, Marsala, Italy

    Domenico Greco, Maria Pisciotta, Francesco Gambina & Filippo Maggio

  2. Via Cosenza, 155, 91016, Erice, TP, Italy

    Domenico Greco

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  1. Domenico Greco
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  2. Maria Pisciotta
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  3. Francesco Gambina
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  4. Filippo Maggio
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Correspondence to Domenico Greco.

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Greco, D., Pisciotta, M., Gambina, F. et al. Celiac disease in subjects with type 1 diabetes mellitus: a prevalence study in western Sicily (Italy). Endocrine 43, 108–111 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12020-012-9718-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12020-012-9718-8

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