β-cell autoimmunity in pediatric celiac: the case for routine screening?
- Giuseppe d'Annunzio, MD (giuseppedannunzio{at}ospedale-gaslini.ge.it)1,
- Alessandro Giannattasio, MD1,
- Elena Poggi, MD1,
- Emanuela Castellano, MD2,
- Angela Calvi, MD2,
- Angela Pistorio, MD3,
- Arrigo Barabino, MD2 and
- Renata Lorini, MD1
- 1University of Genova, Department of Pediatrics, IRCCS G. Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy
- 2Department Service of Gastroenterology, IRCCS G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy, G. Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy
- 3Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit, IRCCS G. Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of β-cell autoimmunity, and the usefulness of screening procedure in patients with celiac disease (CD).
Research design and methods: We measured GADA, IA-2A and IAA in 188 CD young Italian patients (66 males, 35.1%); mean age at CD diagnosis was 5.4 years (0.5-17.1 yrs) and mean CD duration was 4.2 years (0-28.8 yrs). CD was diagnosed by jejunal biopsy, after confirmed positivity for EMA and tTGA.
Results: GADA were positive in 7 patients (3.7%), and IA-2A were positive in 2 patients. IAA were negative in all cases. Metabolic evaluation was normal, and no patient developed diabetes mellitus during follow-up. No significant association between β-cell autoimmunity and gender, age, puberal stage, family history or coexistence of other autoimmune disorders, compliance to gluten-free diet was found.
Conclusions: Our results showed a low prevalence of β-cell autoimmunity and don't support its precocious screening in young CD patients.
Footnotes
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- Received August 13, 2008.
- Accepted November 4, 2008.
- Copyright © American Diabetes Association
