ENDIA and coeliac disease

ENDIA is a study looking into the causes of type 1 diabetes.

Participation involves, among other samples, the collection of a blood sample from children who are at a slightly higher risk of type 1 diabetes because someone in their family has type 1 diabetes.

The first test is for islet autoantibodies, the early markers of type 1 diabetes.

What may surprise some is that ENDIA also tests for the early markers of coeliac disease. Coeliac disease, like type 1 diabetes, is an autoimmune condition (where the body starts to attack its own healthy cells). In the case of coeliac disease, the body reacts badly to gluten in the diet and the cells of the small bowel / intestine become inflamed and damaged. This impacts on the body’s ability to absorb important nutrients from food.

The two conditions, coeliac disease and type 1 diabetes, share some genetic and environmental factors.

In this video, Maeve and Steve would like to talk to you about ENDIA and coeliac disease. If you have any feedback, email us at endia@adelaide.edu.au. Thanks for watching!