Background

The HLA associations of celiac disease (CD) in north Indians differ from that in Europeans. Our dietary gluten is among the highest in the world. Data on CD in people with diabetes (PWD) in north India is scant.

Objective

To estimate the prevalence and clinical profile of CD in children with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Research Design and Methods

Retrospective review of case records of PWD with onset ≤18 years of age, registered between 2009 and 2020, having at least one anti tissue-transglutaminase (anti-tTG) serology report.

Results

Of 583 registered PWD, 398 (68.2%) had celiac serology screening. A positive report was obtained in 66 (16.6%). Of 51 biopsied people, 22 (5.5%) were diagnosed to have CD, 12 in the first 2 years of diabetes onset. Symptomatic CD at diagnosis was seen in 63% (14/22). Age at diabetes onset (median [IQR] age 5.5 years, [2–12]) was lower in PWD and CD compared to PWD alone (10 years, [7–14], p < 0.016). Of 36 biopsied children with anti-tTG >100 au/ml, 20 (55.5%) had CD, while 2 out of 15 (13.3%) of those with lower anti-tTG titer had histopathology suggestive of CD. Of 23 seropositive children not diagnosed with CD, 5 of 8 with anti tTG >100 au/ml, and all 15 with lower anti-tTG, had normalization of titers over the 24 (10–41) months.

Conclusions

Our prevalence of CD is comparable to international data. Celiac disease was common with younger age at onset of T1D and higher titer of celiac serology. A high proportion was symptomatic of CD at diagnosis.