The Prevalence of Autoimmune Diseases Among Children With Type I Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Background Type I diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a prevalent chronic illness that typically manifests in childhood. In patients who are genetically predisposed to diabetes, complex interactions between environmental and genetic factors play a role in the development of type 1 diabetes. There is proof that the onset of type 1 diabetes raises the possibility of developing additional autoimmune conditions. This has to do with the hereditary predisposition to these illnesses. As the autoimmune process in pancreatic beta cells advances, it may also impact other organs, leading to the emergence of autoimmune diseases that are either organ-specific or organ-nonspecific. Purpose The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of autoimmune disorders among children who are diagnosed with T1DM in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia, and assess the potential impact of these conditions on other comorbidities. Methods Over the course of three years, from 2020 to 2023, children with T1DM were the subjects of this descriptive retrospective cross-sectional study conducted in the Endocrinology and Diabetes Unit of the Maternity and Children's Hospital in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. There were 281 participants in total. Clinical and laboratory research was conducted on autoimmune T1DM. Results A total of 281 T1DM children were investigated, with 59.9% being female and 43.1% being male. The mean age was 12.8 ± 3.3 years, and the mean disease duration at the end of follow-up was 6.6 ± 2.9 years. Among these participants, 5.3% were diagnosed with at least one autoimmune disease (AID). Celiac disease is the most commonly reported AID, accounting for 56.3%, followed by hypothyroidism (31.3%). An increased risk of developing AIDs was linked to significant associations between older age (>10 years old) and longer duration of DM (p<0.05). Conclusion The data show a high prevalence of autoimmune comorbidities among pediatric T1DM patients treated at our department. The findings highlight the importance of regular screenings in facilitating timely diagnosis and intervention, which is critical in promoting the well-being and normative development of pediatric patients.

Keywords: al-ahsa; autoimmune disease; prevalence; risk factors; saudi arabia; type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Figure 1. Vitamin D levels among children with type I DM children