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Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic disease which results in a poor regulation of glucose levels in the blood circulation. Based on its time of onset, two types of Diabetes have been found. We call them Type I and Type II. While Type I Diabetes has an onset in the childhood, Type II Diabetes has a late onset. Insulin, which is a body hormone contributes to the symptoms and signs seen in Diabetes. Underlying pathology in Diabetes is either the lack of Insulin secretion, low sensitivity of tissues for the secreted Insulin or total absence of Insulin due to destruction of cells in the secretary organ, which is the Pancreas.

In Type I Diabetes, the body immune system launches a devastating attack against its own body cells, which in this case the cells in the Pancreas. The process is called 'Auto-immune destruction' and the destructive process is being supported by abnormal DNA structures in our chromosomes, which we inherit.

Celiac Disease is a similar auto-immune disease which precipitates with the damage caused to the intestinal cells through the action of body immune mechanism. The auto-immune process in precipitating Celiac Disease also is under the influence of DNA segments in our chromosomes. The disorder is precipitated by the intake of Gluten, a protein substance present in Wheat, Barley and Rye as well as in some cereals.

Unfortunately the DNA that precipitates both Type I Diabetes and Celiac Disease are found to be located in the same segments of chromosomes. Thus, when a patient is associated with Type I Diabetes they are more prone to suffer from Celiac Disease as well. This linkage has been facilitated more by similar development pathways and anatomy of the two organs, the intestine and the pancreas, as well as the fact that intestinal immune system makes communications with the pancreatic lymph nodes. The researchers went on to say that even the environment factors that trigger both the disorders can have an association as well.

The presentation and the progression of the two disorders will also follow a similar path in which Type I Diabetes will be much more life threatening as well as involves rigorous blood sugar control. Patients suffering from this type of Diabetes would require taking lifelong insulin and it can strike suddenly specially in small children in a life threatening manner.

Celiac Disease on the other hand can be prevented by taking a Gluten free diet. The symptoms even though are not life threatening can range from diarrhoea, abdominal pain, discomfort and puffiness to anaemia, recurrent miscarriages and skin disorders. Most of the symptoms associated with Celiac Disease would be due to the poor gut absorption of nutrients and intolerable food intake.

Reference:

Shared and Distinct Genetic Variants in Type 1 Diabetes and Celiac Disease. New England Journal of Medicine, Online December 10; In print December 25, 2008

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