Coeliac disease related to diabetes

David van Heel at Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry is leading a study based on a genetic survey of 9,400 gluten-intolerant individuals.

The results show that genes associated with gluten intolerance (also known as celiac disease or coeliac disease) appear to also be associated with several other autoimmune diseases, such as Type I diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.

The researchers' data suggest that there are hundreds of genetic risk factors underlying the disease.

Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disease that affects about one percent of the Australian population.

The disease is characterised by an overreaction by the body's immune system to the gluten protein found in many common grains, such as wheat.

This damages the villi of the small intestine, impairing its ability to absorb nutrients, which may in turn lead to other health problems such as anemia, osteoporosis, fatigue and weight loss.

The researchers hope that the new findings will help find new ways to diagnose and treat coeliac disease/gluten intolerance.