Coeliac disease and autoimmunity

Abstract

Summary Among fifty-seven patients with proven coeliac disease three also had thyrotoxicosis, two insulin dependant diabetes, three fibrosing alveolitis and one each had vitiligo, rheumatoid arthritis and cryptogenic cirrhosis. Autoantibodies were demonstrated in twelve of thirty-one patients tested, seven of these twelve had one of the above associated conditions. Antireticulin antibodies were found in seven of twenty-three patients tested, and there was a significant association with dietary gluten. These findings appear to support that coeliac disease is associated with disturbed immunity and that a predisposition to autoimmunity may exist.

Thyroid autoimmunity in children with coeliac disease: a prospective survey

“…Among patients with CD or dermatitis herpetiformis, 4–10% have autoimmune thyroid diseases 5–9. It is not known if the gluten-free diet (GFD) can reduce the likelihood of developing autoimmune disorders.…”

Tissue Transglutaminase Antibodies in Individuals with Celiac Disease Bind to Thyroid Follicles and Extracellular Matrix and May Contribute to Thyroid Dysfunction

“…Conversely, 4-10% of patients with celiac disease or dermatitis herpetiformis suffer from thyroid disease (27)(28)(29)(30).…”

Dermatitis herpetiformis and Vitiligo

“…Haemoglobin 11,4 g/dl (11,(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)8), MCV 92 fi (76-92), MCHC 32 g/dl (32-36), thyroxine 76 nmol/1 (50-150), folic acid in serum II ¡¿mol/l(l4 34), vitamine B» in serum 486 pmol/1 (220-750).…”

“…Vitiligo has been described in coeliac disease [5]. The association between DH and vitiligo has only been described a few times [6,7].…”