Public Release: 

Type 1 diabetes and celiac disease linked

Scientists identify shared genetic markers

University of Cambridge




In order to assess the genetic similarities and differences between the two inflammatory disorders, the researchers obtained 9339 control samples, 8064 samples from people with type 1 diabetes and 2560 samples from individuals with celiac disease. They found a total of seven loci (regions of a chromosome) were shared between the two.

The researchers, who were funded by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the Wellcome Trust and Coeliac UK, believe that these regions of the chromosomes regulate the mechanisms that cause the body's own immune system to attack both the beta cells in the pancreas and the small intestine. Their results suggest that type 1 diabetes and celiac disease not only share genetic causes but could have similar environmental triggers as well.

Professor John Todd, from the University of Cambridge, said: "The next step is to understand how these susceptibility genes affect the immune system, and to keep exploring environmental factors that might alter the risk of type 1 diabetes, which results from an incredibly complex interaction between nature and nurture."

Professor David van Heel, from Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry , said: "These findings suggest common mechanisms causing both coeliac and type 1 diabetes - we did not expect to see this very high degree of shared genetic risk factors."

Richard A. Insel, MD., Executive Vice President, Research, at JDRF, said: "These studies demonstrate that type 1 diabetes and celiac disease share far greater genetic overlap than had been appreciated, which helps explain the high prevalence of both diseases occurring simultaneously in an individual, and provide new avenues for understanding the cause and mechanisms of both diseases."

Sarah Sleet, Chief Executive of Coeliac UK said: "This is a real advancement in understanding the underlying mechanisms generating celiac disease, a much under diagnosed condition which affects 1 in 100 people in the UK today however, only 1 in 8 of those has currently been diagnosed. We hope that these findings will help in increased awareness and diagnostic understanding of both celiac disease and type 1 diabetes."

Type 1 diabetes and celiac disease together affect about 1% of the population.


For additional information please contact:
Genevieve Maul, Office of Communications, University of Cambridge
Mob: +44 (0) 7774 017464

Notes to Editors:

1. The article 'Shared and Distinct Genetic Variants in Type 1 Diabetes and Celiac Disease' will appear in the online edition of the New England Journal of Medicine on December 10 (and in the 25 December 2008 issue of the Journal).

2. About type 1 diabetes

  • Type 1 diabetes is a serious, life threatening condition caused by the body's own immune system destroying insulin producing cells in the pancreas.
  • Insulin is vital because it converts glucose from food into energy and a lack of insulin quickly results in serious illness and, if untreated, death.
  • Type 1 diabetes strikes suddenly and without warning, usually in childhood and remains for life.
  • Multiple daily insulin injections and blood tests are essential just to stay alive but are not a cure and can not prevent the long term, potentially devastating complications including blindness, limb amputations, kidney failure, heart disease and strokes.
  • Every year around £2.5 billion is spent in the UK on treating type 1 diabetes and its complications.

3. University of Cambridge:


4. Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry:



5. Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF):



7. Coeliac UK is the leading UK charity that supports and campaigns for people with coeliac disease. Formed in 1968, the organisation has over 80,000 members and is involved in providing information on coeliac disease and the gluten-free diet.

The Charity is involved at informing policy-making at the national level with groups in England, Scotland and Wales. The All Party Parliamentary Group for Coeliac Disease and DH (APPG) was formed in 2003 to represent people with coeliac disease at government level, ensuring that policy makers in health, food and other areas consider the needs of the growing diagnosed coeliac population.

Gluten is a protein found in wheat (including spelt), rye and barley; beer; obvious sources of gluten include breads, pastas, flours, cereals, cakes and biscuits. It is often used as an ingredient in many favourite foods such as fish fingers, sausages, gravies, sauces and soy sauce. People with coeliac disease can also be sensitive to oats.

The symptoms of coeliac disease range from mild to severe and can vary between individuals. Not everyone with coeliac disease experiences gut related symptoms; any area of the body can be affected. Symptoms can include bloating, abdominal pain, nausea, constipation, diarrhoea, wind, tiredness, anaemia, headaches, mouth ulcers, recurrent miscarriages, weight loss (but not in all cases), skin problems, depression, joint or bone pain and nerve problems.

You can contact Coeliac UK via their website at or by phoning their Helpline on 0870 444 8804
