Celiac disease is seen more frequently in youth with type 1 diabetes, but there are variations between countries in how often the two conditions occur together, according to an Australian study in the journal Diabetes Care. The study found 3.5% of young people with diabetes had celiac disease, with the prevalence ranging from 1.9% in the US to 7.7% in Australia.

“Celiac disease is not uncommon in type 1 diabetes, and regular screening is important,” the study’s lead author Dr. Maria Craig, from UNSW Medicine in Kensington, New South Wales, Australia, told Reuters Health by email.

Shared genetic risk is the major reason why CD is more common in type 1 diabetes patients, she added.