779 Comorbidity of Autoimmune Diseases in Children with Diagnosed Coealic Disease

Abstract

Introduction: Coeliac disease is an inflammatory enteropathy with an immunological background, characterised by a permanent gluten intolerance in genetically predisposed individuals. Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to analyse the comorbidity of autoimmune diseases in children with diagnosed coeliac disease, hospitalized in the Department of Paediatrics, in the period 2003- 2008. Patients and Methods: The analysis included 88 childred (55% girls and 45% boys), aged from 11 months to 18 years, in whom coealic disease was diagnosed on the basis of the clinical manifestation, the presence of p/IgAEmA antibodies and/or tTG antibodies, and abnormalities in the histopathological examination of the small intestine. The course of disease and comorbidity of other autoimmune diseases were evaluated in the examined children. The patients were analysed in relation to gender, age and time of disease manifestation. Results: In 9/88 children (10.2%) with diagnosed coeliac disease, the coexistence of type1 diabetes was observed; in 4/88 children with coeliac disease inflammatory bowel disease was found; in 4/88 children - lymphocytic colitis was also present. In children with diagnosed coeliac disease, thyroid gland diseases (2/88), psoriasis and vitiligo were leβ common. In 11/88 patients (12.5%) with coeliac disease food allergy was diagnised, most often to cow's milk protein and egg. Autoimmune diseases were significantly more frequent in the subgroup of older children (>7 years of age). Summary: In this study we would like to emphasize the frequent coexistence of autoimmune diseases in patients with diagnosed coeliac disease (24%), especially in older children.