This review will focus on the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and management of celiac disease (CD). Given an increasing awareness of gluten-related disorders, medical professionals of all varieties are encountering patients with a diagnosis of CD or who are thought to have food intolerance to gluten. The prevalence of CD among the general population is estimated to be 1% in Western nations, and there is growing evidence for underdiagnosis of the disease, especially in non-Western nations that were traditionally believed to be unaffected. The development of serologic markers specific to CD has revolutionized the ability both to diagnose and monitor patients with the disease. Additionally, understanding of the clinical presentations of CD has undergone a major shift over the past half century. Although it is well understood that CD develops in genetically predisposed subjects exposed to gluten, the extent of other environmental factors in the pathogenesis of the disease is an area of continued research. Currently, the main therapeutic intervention for CD is a gluten-free diet; however, novel nondietary agents are under active investigation. Future areas of research should also help us understand the relationship of CD to other gluten-related disorders.

Objective To investigate a recent association between use of the angiotensin receptor-blocker (ARB) olmesartan and a severe enteropathy resembling celiac disease. Patients and Methods We searched our endoscopy database for all outpatient esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) or colonoscopy examinations in patients at least 50 years of age during the dates January 1, 2007 to March 31, 2013. Cases were those whose examination indication was diarrhea, and controls were those whose examination indication was esophageal reflux (EGD) or colorectal cancer screening (colonoscopy). We compared cases to controls with regard to the proportion of those listing olmesartan among their medications. Secondary exposures were the proportion of those taking non-olmesartan ARBs or other anti-hypertensive medications. We also examined biopsy results to determine if there were histologic changes associated with olmesartan use. Results We identified 2088 patients undergoing EGD and 12428 patients undergoing colonoscopy meeting inclusion criteria. On multivariate analysis, there was no statistically-significant association between olmesartan and diarrhea among those undergoing EGD (OR 1.99 95% CI 0.79–5.00) or colonoscopy (OR 0.63 95% CI 0.23–1.74). Review of pathology reports of the EGD and colonoscopy groups showed no association between olmesartan use and the histologic diagnosis of celiac disease (p=0.61) or microscopic colitis (p=1.0), respectively. Conclusions Our findings suggest that neither olmesartan nor other ARBs were associated with diarrhea among patients undergoing endoscopy. The sprue-like enteropathy recently associated with olmesartan is likely a rare adverse effect and milder presentations are unlikely.

Background Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have elevated symptoms of anxiety and depression. The burden of such symptoms, accompanied by functional impairment in IBD, is not well documented, nor is utilization of mental health care in this population. Methods Adults ≥18 years were identified in the cross-sectional 2015–2016 National Health Interview Survey. Responses from the Kessler Index were used to estimate the national prevalence of psychological distress with impairment and mental health-care use in IBD. Factors associated with psychological distress with impairment in IBD were analyzed using logistic regression. Results The prevalence of psychological distress with impairment was significantly higher in IBD than non-IBD adults (7.69% vs. 3.50%, respectively; P < .01). Among those with IBD and psychological distress with impairment, only a third (36.29%) had seen or talked to a mental health provider in the preceding 12 months. About half of these found the cost of mental health care unaffordable. On multivariable analysis, factors associated with psychological distress in IBD included increasing emergency room visits and trouble finding a health provider. Conclusions A significant number of adults with IBD in the United States have psychological distress accompanied by functional impairment. However, mental health care is underutilized in this population. Many of these individuals find the cost of mental health care unaffordable, struggle to find a health provider, and experience repeated emergency room visits. Ongoing efforts to improve mental health care in IBD should address issues of access and cost. Additionally, these efforts should seek to understand other barriers to mental health-care use.

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