The prevalence of autoimmune diseases in patients with type 1 diabetes and in their relatives

Abstract

Introduction. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune
disease, which can affect a patient either alone or in
conjunction with other diseases of the autoimmune
background. The aim of the study is assessment of the
incidence of the other autoimmune diseases in type 1
diabetes patients and in their relatives.

Material and methods. The study was performed in
219 type 1 diabetic subjects (85 female and 134 male).
A comorbidity of the other autoimmune diseases in
subjects and their relatives were studied using a specifi
c questionnaire and patient’s medical records. The
project of the study was approved by the Commission
of Bioethics, Medical University of Lodz.

Results. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis was the most frequent
autoimmune comorbidityin the examined subjects
(17.35%). The less frequent autoimmune diseases
coexisting with type 1 diabetes were: vitilogo, celiac
disease, rheumatoid arthritis and alopecia areata. In
32 subjects (14.61%) family history of type 1 diabetes
was also reported. Besides diabetes among fi rst degree
relatives rheumatoid arthritis was the most frequent
autoimmune disease.

Conclusions. Type 1 diabetes is a risk factor for the
other autoimmune diseases and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
is the most common comorbidity, thus screening
for autoimmune thyroiditis should be performed in
patients with type 1 diabetes.