Coeliac disease in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and auto-immune thyroid disorders.

The paper aims to review the prevalence and natural history of coeliac disease in patients with type 1A diabetes mellitus and autoimmune thyroid disorders. These diseases share a similar genetic background. In diabetic children and adults, the prevalence of (mostly asymptomatic) coeliac disease varies form 0.97 to 6.4%. Diabetes is usually diagnosed first. Screening in relatives may also be positive. Recurrent hypoglycaemia in diabetic subjects (indirectly) suggest the development of coeliac sprue. Thyroid disorders (thyroiditis and Graves' disease) are also usual in coeliac disease. A common etiopathogenic mechanism for the association CD/diabetes/thyroid disorders, with gluten as the driving antigen, was postulated. Thus, screening program for coeliac disease are recommended in individuals with type 1A diabetes and/or auto-immune thyroid conditions, as well as in their first-degree relatives.