Coeliac disease among children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in the northern coastal part of Croatia

摘要

We investigated the prevalence of coeliac disease among children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in the northern coastal part in Croatia. In our care are 131 children with IDDM; 105 (80%) children were tested for endomysial antibodies (EMA). Seven from them (6.6%) were EMA positive (five boys and two girls) and small bowel biopsy was performed. We have found different degrees of mucosal atrophy. HLA types were characteristic (DR3, DQ2) in four patients. After one year of gluten-free diet, we investigated glyco-sylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), and percentiles of stature and weight. There was significant difference only in body mass index before and after one year of gluten-free diet (p = 0.03). Due to the higher prevalence of coeliac disease among patients with IDDM, these patients should be tested regularly for EMA.