Immunoserological Profile of Celiac Disease among Iraqi Children and Adults with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Background:

Celiac disease is also often found in people with type 1 diabetes mellitus and is thought to share common genetic and immunologic pathways, so it is common to be diagnosed with both conditions. These conditions may coexist and exacerbate clinical conditions and are rarely investigated in Iraqi populations.

Aims:The aim of the study was to measure the prevalence of celiac disease in Iraqi children and adult patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and its relationship with pancreatic autoantibodies (glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody (GADA) and islet cell antibody (ICA)).

Materials and Methods:

We conducted a case–control study of 69 patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and 50 healthy controls. Serum samples were analyzed for anti-tTG IgA using ELISA, while GADA and ICA were detected using ELISA and immunofluorescence techniques, respectively. We performed statistical analyses using SPSS software version 26.

Results:

Anti-tTG positivity was significantly higher in patients with diabetes (21.7%) compared with controls (6%) (P = 0.018). GADA and ICA were significantly elevated in patients (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.005, respectively). No significant association was found between anti-tTG and either GADA (P = 0.292) or ICA (P = 0.066), although a trend was observed with ICA.

Conclusions:

Celiac disease-related autoimmunity is more prevalent in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, supporting routine screening. However, pancreatic and intestinal autoimmunity may develop through partially independent mechanisms.