In a nutshell
The study investigated whether celiac disease with type 1 diabetes increases the risk of diabetic complications such as retinopathy and kidney disease.
It was concluded that celiac disease is a risk factor for retinopathy and kidney disease in patients with type 1 diabetes.
Some background
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease (where the immune system attacks healthy tissue the way it would a virus or bacteria). People who have one autoimmune disease are more likely to develop a second autoimmune disease, for example celiac disease. In celiac disease, eating gluten (protein found in wheat and other grains) damages the lining of the intestines.
In diabetes, high blood sugar levels can cause damage to the small blood vessels in the eyes (called retinopathy) and kidney disease (called nephropathy). However, it is unclear whether celiac disease can increase the risk of this type of damage occuring in the body.
Methods & findings
The current study looked at whether celiac disease with type 1 diabetes increases the risk of retinopathy and kidney disease. The study included 56,514 patients with diabetes. Patients were divided into two groups, those without celiac disease and those with suspected or confirmed celiac disease. The rates of retinopathy and kidney disease were compared between the groups.
Retinopathy and kidney disease occurred earlier in those who had celiac disease. Retinopathy occurred at about age 27 years in 25% of patients with celiac disease and at about age 34 years in 25% of patients without celiac disease. The risk of retinopathy was 26% higher in those with celiac disease and diabetes.
Signs of kidney disease occurred at about 33 years of age in those with celiac disease and at about 42 years of age in those without celiac disease. The risk of kidney disease was 36% higher in those with celiac disease and diabetes.
The bottom line
The study concluded that celiac disease is a risk factor for retinopathy and kidney disease in patients with type 1 diabetes.
The fine print
The study was carried out in a German-Austrian population and therefore needs to be validated in a wider population.
Published By :
Diabetes Care
Date :
Feb 17, 2015
