Potential beneficial effects of a gluten-free diet in newly diagnosed children with type 1 diabetes: a pilot study

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Aim: Gluten-free diet has shown promising effects in preventing type 1 diabetes (T1D) in animals as well as beneficial effects on the immune system. Gluten-free diet at diabetes onset may alter the natural course and outcome of autoimmune diseases such as T1D. Methods: In a 12-month study, 15 children newly diagnosed with T1D were instructed to follow a gluten-free diet. Questionnaires were used to evaluate adherence to the gluten-free diet. Partial remission (PR) was defined by insulin dose-adjusted A1c (IDAA1c) ≤9 or stimulated C-peptide (SCP) >300 pmol/L measured 90 min after a liquid mixed meal at the inclusion, six and 12 months after onset. The intervention group was compared with two previous cohorts. Linear mixed models were used to estimate differences between cohorts. Results: After 6 months, more children on a gluten-free diet tended to have SCP values above 300 pmol/L compared to the European cohort (p = 0.08). The adherence to a gluten-free diet decreased during the 12-month study period. After 1 year there was no difference in SCP levels or percentage in remission according to SCP (p > 0.1). Three times as many children were still in PR based on IDAA1c (p 1 unit lower in the cohort on a gluten-free diet compared to the two previous cohorts (p 

Original languageEnglish
Article number994
JournalSpringerPlus
Volume5
Number of pages8
ISSN2193-1801
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 7 Jul 2016

    Research areas

  • Gluten, Insulin dose-adjusted HbA1c, Remission phase, Type 1 diabetes

ID: 164426009