Descripción de las enfermedades autoinmunes acompañantes de la diabetes mellitus tipo 1 en un área sanitaria

Background and objective

To describe the onset of autoimmune disease and monitoring associated with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in a sample of patients under 19 years, and to explain the importance of the onset and monitoring screening of T1DM in this health area.

Patients and methods

An observational descriptive study was conducted on patients under 19 years-old with onset of type 1 diabetes mellitus in the health district of West Valladolid (Spain) during the period from 2001 to 2011. The results of the diagnostic tests for diseases associated with T1DM (autoimmune polyendocrine syndromes, Addison's disease, pernicious anemia, vitiligo, thyroid disease, celiac disease) were recorded).

Results

Antithyroid antibodies were performed (peroxidase antibodies, anti-TPO) in 85.9% of patients (67 cases), being positive in 23.9% (16 cases) at onset and during follow-up. The most common thyroid disease was chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis. Screening for celiac disease was performed in 75.6% (59 cases) of patients, being positive in 3.4% of patients at onset, and 1.7% (1 case) in the follow-up. None of the patients in our population sample presented with autoimmune polyendocrine syndromes, Addison's disease, pernicious anemia, or vitiligo.

Conclusions

The results suggest that it may be worthwhile screening for autoimmune diseases associated with T1DM, both at the time of diagnosis of disease and periodically during the follow-up of T1DM. Perhaps, with current international recommendations and medical consensus, screening for autoimmune diseases associated with T1DM could become routine.