Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Type 1 diabetes (T1DM) is an autoimmune disease in 90% of cases and is frequently accompanied by other autoimmune diseases.

Objective: To assess the frequency of autoimmune diseases in type 1 diabetics and study the particularities of this association.

Patients and Method: This is a retrospective study including 120 type 1 diabetic patients hospitalized in department C of the National Institute of Nutrition in Tunis.

Results: The mean age of our patients was 30± 12 years with a sex ratio M/F=0.7. The average duration of diabetes was 12± 8 years. The mean glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was 10.3%. The frequency of autoimmune diseases was 20% with a higher incidence in women: 79% vs 21% men. Hypothyroidism topped the list with a frequency of 13.3%. The frequency of hyperthyroidism, celiac disease and Addison’s disease was 4.3%, 3.3 % and 1.6% respectively. The frequency of Biermer’s disease was the same as that of vitiligo : 0.83%. The following associations were noted: Hypothyroidism and celiac disease with a frequency of 0.83%. Hyperthyroidism and celiac disease with a frequency of 0.83%. Hypothyroidism, celiac disease and Addison’s disease with a frequency of 0.83%.

Diabetes type 1 preceded dysthyroidism in 85% of cases and other autoimmune diseases elicited in 100% of cases. Patients with associated autoimmune diseases were older (34.4 ± 12 vs. 29.1 ± 13 years; P=0.008) and had older diabetes (14 ± 11 vs. 10 ± 9 years; P=0.005).

Conclsion: The coexistence of autoimmune diseases in the type 1 diabetic patient is not rare, the practitioner is encouraged to screen them at least, as soon as diabetes is discovered and in front of evocative signs.