Background/aims: We aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of celiac disease, a gluten-sensitive enteropathy, and autoimmune thyroiditis in children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in the Thrace region of Turkey.
Methods: The population studied consisted of 33 children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and 41 healthy children with demographic features similar to the study subjects. Free triiodothyronine, free thyroxine, thyroid-stimulating hormone, anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody, anti-thyroglobulin antibody, IgA, anti-endomysium IgA, and anti-gliadin IgA were measured in all cases and controls.
Results: The serum levels of free triiodothyronine and free thyroxine were within the normal range in all cases. However, in one patient who had anti-thyroid peroxidase and antithyroglobulin antibodies, the thyroid-stimulating hormone level was high despite a normal free triiodothyronine and free thyroxine value. Ultrasonographic findings confirmed thyroiditis in this patient. Anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies, anti-thyroglobulin antibodies, anti-endomysium IgA and anti-gliadin IgA were detected in 15.4%, 6%, 9.1% and 3% of the diabetic cases, respectively. None of these antibodies was detected in the control group. In the diabetic group, the seroprevalences of the antithyroid peroxidase antibodies and the anti-endomysium IgA were statistically higher than in the control group (p<0.05).
Conclusions: Children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in our region should undergo periodic screenings for autoimmune thyroiditis and celiac disease.