title: Type 1 diabetes in children and adolescents is not associated with a reduced prevalence of atopy and allergic diseases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) as well as allergies in childhood have increased worldwide during the last 2 decades. The reasons for this increase are still unknown but early life origins are being discussed, such as dietary and hygiene factors that may play a role in the development of both diseases. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of allergies in children with and without T1D and to define potential influencing factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected from 104 patients with T1D (n = 104; mean age 11.4 ± 4.4 years; m/f: 77/27) and 104 healthy controls (CG) (n = 104; mean age 11.4 ± 4.3 years; m/f: 77/27). A questionnaire on allergic symptoms was obtained from each individual. In parallel, ImmunoCAP tests to detect specific allergen sensitization were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Allergen sensitization rates were not significantly different between both groups (T1D: 42% vs CG 38%; P = 0.625). In both groups, a comparable number of patients reported allergic symptoms in the questionnaire (T1D: 20% vs CG 26%; P = 0.43). Allergen sensitization and allergic symptoms were independent of breastfeeding, pets at home or diabetes duration. However, in T1D, fewer family members smoked (T1D: 10% vs CG 56%; P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present cohort study shows the same prevalence of allergy and atopy in a pediatric diabetes population compared to healthy controls. Diabetes per se does not seem to influence the development of allergies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Division of General Pediatrics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Hildegard
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1992-7565
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jasser-Nitsche
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Division of Respiratory and Allergic Disease, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Eva-Maria
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Varga
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Division of General Pediatrics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Helmuth Martin
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Borkenstein
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Division of General Pediatrics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Höntzsch
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Division of General Pediatrics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Suppan
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Division of General Pediatrics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Gudrun
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Weinhandl
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Division of General Pediatrics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pieringer
authors.affiliation: Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics and Documentation, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Avian
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Division of General Pediatrics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Elke
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fröhlich-Reiterer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D001317:Austria / Q000453:epidemiology; D001942:Breast Feeding; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D008297:Male; D057805:Pets; D015995:Prevalence
chemical_list: D007073:Immunoglobulin E
keywords: 
  T1D
  ; allergy; atopy; children; prevalence