Frequency of Atopy and Allergic Disorders Among Children with Autoimmune Diseases

Objective: The pathogenesis of allergic diseases and autoimmune diseases are different. It has been claimed that the prevalence of allergic disorders may be lower in children with autoimmune diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of atopy in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) and autoimmune thyroiditis (AT). Material and Methods: The ISAAC questionnaire was used in children diagnosed with Type 1 DM and AT at our hospital and skin prick tests were performed. Results: A total of 111 children (74 with Type 1 DM and 37 with AT) were included in the study. 56% of the patients (n=63) were female and the mean age was 12.4 ± 3.7 years. The prevalence of wheeze was 9% at any time (5.4% in DM and 16.2% in AT) and 3.6% for the current period (last 12 months) (1.4% in DM and 8.1 % in AT); the prevalence of rhinitis was 18.9% at any time (14.9% in DM and 27% in AT) and %12.6 for the current period (9.5% in DM and 18.9% in AT); the current allergic rhinoconjunctivitis rate was 9.9% (%5.4 in DM and 18.9% in AT). Conclusion: The frequency of allergic rhinoconjunctivit symptoms is higher in children with AT than in children with Type 1 DM.