There are no population-based data on the autoimmune morbidity and vascular complications of young adults with childhood-onset type 1 diabetes in Hungary.
Aims: To assess the prevalence of these morbidities after 20 years of diabetes duration.
Method: Postal questionnaire.
Results: 6.2% of the patients had celiac disease. Diabetes was diagnosed at a significantly earlier age in patients with diabetes and celiac disease as compared to those without celiac diasease. Thyroid autoimmunity was reported in 7.6% of cases. They were significantly older with longer duration of diabetes. Every fifth patients reported retinopathy, one sixth of patients was treated for hypertension. Neuropathy was found in 3.4% and kidney disease in 4.8% of the cases.
Conclusions: Apart from retinopathy and hypertension, the prevalence of microvascular complications was relatively low. Considering the limitations of questionnaire studies, laboratory screening is warranted to assess the true prevalence of comorbidities and complications.