Adults with existing organ-specific autoimmunity showed higher rates of pancreatic autoimmunity than controls, suggesting a population that may merit closer surveillance for presymptomatic type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). In a study published in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, positivity for islet autoantibodies (islet-AAb) was substantially more common among adults with endocrine or gastric autoantibodies.

The analysis included adults previously tested for autoantibodies against specific endocrine glands and/or gastric parietal cells using indirect immunofluorescence. Participants were divided into an Autoimmunity group and a Control group based on the presence of at least 1 organ-specific autoantibody. Stored serum samples from all participants were then reassessed for islet-AAb. Comparisons were performed between groups and within the Autoimmunity group according to patterns of organ-specific autoimmunity.

Positivity for at least 1 islet-AAb was higher in the Autoimmunity group than in controls (40.3% vs 21.0%; P=0.007). Double and triple islet-AAb positivity were less common overall, but occurred more frequently in the Autoimmunity group. Within that group, multiple positivity, defined as at least 2 islet-AAb, was more common in individuals with ovarian autoimmunity. It was also higher in those with combined pituitary and ovarian autoimmunity than in participants with other endocrine autoimmune involvement.

The findings indicate that adults with selected autoimmune disorders had a higher prevalence of pancreatic autoimmunity. Those with ovarian and/or pituitary autoimmunity may represent a potential target group for T1DM screening strategies.