Are HDL levels lower in children with type 1 diabetes and concurrent celiac disease compared with children with type 1 diabetes only?

Celiac disease (CD) is associated with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), which is known to be associated with abnormal lipid profiles. We aimed to examine the impact of CD on lipid profiles in persons with T1DM. Subjects with T1DM were identified by database and medical record review. Patients were classified as T1DM+CD or T1DM based on CD antibody and endoscopy results. The most recent (before age 20 years) non-fasting lipid panel (NFLP) prior to CD diagnosis for T1DM+CD subjects was compared to the most recent NFLP for T1DM subjects. Adjusted analysis showed T1DM+CD had lower HDL compared with T1DM (T1DM+CD 51.4 mg/dL, T1DM 62.2 mg/dL, p=0.017). There were no other differences in NFLP. In our sample, patients with T1DM+CD had lower HDL levels. Considering the increased cardiovascular disease risk of patients with T1DM, those who also have CD may be at even greater risk due to the association with lower HDL.