G62 A questionnaire survey of adherence to European guidelines for the diagnosis of coeliac disease in asymptomatic children with type 1 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Aims Updated guidelines were released by ESPGHAN in January 2012, outlining separate diagnostic algorithms for asymptomatic diabetic patients to those presenting symptomatically. Recent epidemiological analysis at our tertiary centre revealed an average period prevalence of coeliac disease (CD) in the type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) population of 5.8%, highlighting the size of the population this concerns. We aimed to assess current practice in the diagnosis of CD in children and adolescents with T1DM in the UK and Germany 16 months following guideline publication. Methods A short questionnaire was distributed to healthcare practitioners, with replies received from 17 regional centres in the UK and 19 in Germany. Responses were compared using chi-squared testing. Results The guidelines recommend HLA typing of all T1DM patients at point of diagnosis, with the rationale that future CD testing (including anti-TG2) would only prove necessary for those who were genetically susceptible. Our results showed anti-TG2 to be the most prevalent first-line test in both the UK and Germany, with 81% of respondents choosing this option to screen asymptomatic diabetic children for CD. Only 14% use HLA typing for first-line testing (Figure 1). Stacked bar chart displaying responses to the question 'Which of the following tests do you currently use as first line (screen) in asymptomatic patients with T1DM?' Results are presented for both questionnaires distributed via the British Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (BSPGHAN) and the German Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology (GPGE), as well as the combined result. The guidelines also recommend serological testing for CD in HLA-DQ2/DQ8-positive (but asymptomatic) T1DM patients. However, only 58% of respondents would test these patients, compared to 86% who would test symptomatic children (p < 0.01). This was due mainly to non-compliance with the guidelines in UK centres where 35% would test asymptomatic children, compared to 82% for children with gastrointestinal symptoms (p <0.01) (Figure 2). Clustered bar chart displaying percentage of respondents managing patient scenarios A-E according to the ESPGHAN diagnostic algorithm for managing asymptomatic patients with T1DM. A = HLA negative patients; B = HLA positive, anti-TG2 lgA negative; C = HLA positive, anti-TG2 lgA <3 ULN, anti-EMA nagative; D = HLA positive, anti-TG2 lgA <10 ULN, anti-EMA negative; E = HLA, anti-TG2 lgA >10 ULN and anti-EMA positive, biopsy negative. Options provided were as follows: (1) recommend gluten-free diet; (2) follow up with regular repeat anti-TG2 lgA; (3) additional CD-specific testing; (4) refer; (5) no further CD-specific action. Results are presented for BSPGHAN, GPGE and combined, as for previous figures. Conclusions There remains a significant lack of awareness of and/or adherence to ESPGHAN guidelines on the diagnosis of CD in the T1DM population, both in the UK and Germany. Clearer, potentially more simplified guidance and further education are required to optimise the identification and subsequent management of this significant patient population. (Figure Presented).