Study results show possible link between diabetes, celiac disease

NEW YORK A study published in the online edition of the New England Journal of Medicine indicates that Type 1 diabetes and celiac disease may result from the same genetic mutations and similar environmental factors.

While research has shown a link between the two diseases, the new study shows they may overlap. 

Type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes, results from the body not producing insulin in the pancreas. Celiac disease prevents the body from processing gluten, rendering those who have it unable to eat most grain-based foods and causing growth problems. Many people with one disease also have the other. 

The researchers analyzed DNA samples of 8,064 people with Type 1 diabetes, 2,828 families with celiac disease and had a 9,339-person control group. They found seven chromosomal regions that people with both diseases shared.