Associated autoimmune diseases in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus : epidemiological, clinical, and evolutionary features

Abstract

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is the most frequent pediatric endocrinopathy. We aimed to study the epidemiological, clinical and evolutionary features of children with Type 1 diabetes associated with other autoimmune disease. Methods: Retrospective descriptive and analytical study of children with diabetes over a 12-year period from 2003 to 2014. Results: We collected 308 diabetic children. The prevalence of the association of diabetes with another autoimmune disease was 11.4% (N=35). The most prevalent association was with celiac disease (15 cases) followed by autoimmune thyroid diseases (10 cases). The AID+ group showed higher frequency of diabetic neuropathy (p=0.028). Conclusion: The association of diabetes mellitus with other autoimmune diseases is frequent and often asymptomatic.