Comparative Analysis of Organ-Specific Autoantibodies and Celiac Disease—Associated Antibodies in Type 1 Diabetic Patients, Their First-Degree Relatives, and Healthy Control Subjects
- Clemens Jaeger, MD,
- Erifili Hatziagelaki, MD,
- Rüdiger Petzoldt, MD, PHD and
- Reinhard G. Bretzel, MD, PHD
- From the Third Medical Department and Policlinic (C.J., E.H., R.G.B.), Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen; and the Diabetes Center at Bad Oeynhausen (R.P.), University of Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
- Address correspondence and reprint requests to Clemens Jaeger, MD, Third Medical Department and Policlinic, Justus-Liebig-University, Rodthohl 6, 35385, Giessen, Germany.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE— In type 1 diabetes the coexistence with other endocrine diseases and organ-specific autoantibodies has been frequently reported leading to the concept of autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome (APS). In addition, an association of type 1 diabetes with celiac disease has been described. These disorders share a similar genetic background, and first-degree relatives of type 1 diabetic patients may also be affected significantly. Screening for specific antibodies allows early diagnosis of these disorders.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS— In the present cross-sectional study, we analyzed sera from 197 recent-onset type 1 diabetic patients at the time of diagnosis, 882 first-degree relatives, and sera of 150 healthy control subjects for prevalence and co-occurence of the following antibodies (method): insulin autoantibodies (radioimmunoassay); GAD and IA-2 antibodies (radioligand assay); islet cell antibody, anti-adrenal cortex antibodies, and anti-gastric parietal cell antibodies (indirect immunofluorescence); anti-thyroglobulin and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies; and gliadin IgG/A and tissue-transglutaminase IgA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay).
RESULTS— The overall frequency of gastric patietal cell antibodies and adrenal antibodies did not differ significantly among groups. In contrast, type 1 diabetes—associated antibodies and thyroid antibodies were significantly more frequent both in recent-onset type 1 diabetic patients and in the group of first-degree relatives (P < 0.05). The prevalence of gliadin IgG/IgA and transglutaminase IgA was significantly higher in the group of recent-onset type 1 diabetic patients (P < 0.05), but the difference between first-degree relatives and control subjects did not reach statistical significance. Focusing on the coexistence of antibodies, the group of recent-onset type 1 diabetic patients presented with 27.4% of the subjects testing antibody-positive—specific for two or more of the envisaged disorders (i.e., type 1 diabetes, autoimmune thyroiditis, and celiac disease) compared with 3.1% in the group of first-degree relatives and 0 of 150 in the control population (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS— We conclude that, in an active case-finding strategy, recent-onset type 1 diabetic patients should be routinely screened at least for concomitant autoimmune thyroid disease and additionally for celiac disease. Screening in their first-degree relatives should include at a minimum the search for thyroid autoimmunity in addition to screening for pre—type 1 diabetes.
Footnotes
-
Abbreviations: APS, autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome; ELISA, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; GADA, GAD65 antibodies; GPC, gastric parietal cell; IAA, insulin autoantibodies; ICA, islet cell antibodies; TG, thyroglobulin; TPO, thyroid peroxidase; tTGC, tissue transglutaminase C; WHO, World Health Organization.
-
A table elsewhere in this issue shows conventional and Système International (SI) units and conversion factors for many substances.
-
- Accepted October 3, 2000.
- Received July 25, 2000.
- by the American Diabetes Association, Inc.
