Objectives: Data regarding Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection frequency in concurrent celiac disease (CD) and type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) (CD+T1DM) are anecdotal. This study aimed to evaluate the association between Hp and concomitant CD+T1DM in children.
Methods: In this two-center, case-control study, children who underwent esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy were studied. CD diagnosis was established by favorable histology and serology. Hp infection was confirmed by both histology and the rapid urease test. Patients were divided into three groups as CD only (CDo), CD+T1DM, and non-CD children who underwent endoscopy as controls.
Results: Among the 1431 esophago-gastro-duodenoscopies performed, 783 cases were eligible. Overall, 215 cases had CDo (mean age: 9.12±4.18 years, 58.1% girls), 63 cases had CD+T1DM (mean age: 9.29±4.46 years, 50.8% girls) and 505 cases were controls (mean age: 9.69±4.52 years, 56.6% girls). Hp infection rate was significantly lower in CD+T1DM group (controls: 49.7% vs CDo: 32.1% vs CD+T1DM: 20.6%, p<0.01). After adjustment for age, gender, and socioeconomic status, the Hp infection rate was still significantly low (aOR: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.35 – 1.83, p<0.01). A difference in Hp infection rate between controls and CDo group (aOR: 1.43, 95% CI: 1.09 – 2.12, p<0.05), and between CDo and CD+T1DM (aOR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.65 – 1.54, p<0.05) group was significant. The severity of duodenal lesions and the presence of Hp infection was not correlated in all celiac children (r: 0.113, p>0.05).
Conclusion: The frequency of Hp infection was significantly lower in CD+T1DM children, compared to the CDo group and the controls.