Anti-gliadin antibodies as a serological marker of celiac diseases in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

ABSTRACT

This work aimed to study the prevalence of anti-gliadin antibodies as a serologic test for celiac disease in patients with insulin-dependant diabetes mellitus and the possible association of these antibodies with certain manifestations of celiac disease. The study was conducted on 40 patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus [group I] compared with 20 age- and sex-matched healthy controls [group II]. The results demonstrated that six out of the 40 diabetic patients had anti-gliadin antibodies compared with none of the control subjects. Recurrent aphthous ulcers were detected in five of the diabetic patients and none of the controls. Four of the diabetic patients suffered from chronic diarrhea compared with none of the controls. Albuminuria was demonstrated in eight of the diabetics and two of the controls. A high prevalence of celiac disease, as evidenced by positive anti-gliadin antibodies, existed in patients with insulin-dependant diabetes mellitus compared with the general population