Celiac sprue and diabetes mellitus.

The frequent association of celiac sprue (CS) and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (DM) which may be the result of interplay between genetic, hormonal, and immunologic factors has obvious therapeutic implications. A gluten-free diet may improve the diarrhea in some patients with DM where the reason for diarrhea is underlying celiac sprue; the diet may also improve control of DM by normalizing the serum hormonal profile.