Associated conditions

Conditions that may be associated with coeliac disease include:

• autoimmune diseases
  • type I diabetes – 4-7% chance of having concomitant coeliac disease
  • autoimmune thyroid disease
  • Addison’s disease
  • autoimmune hepatitis
  • connective tissue diseases e.g. - Sjogren’s disease, Systemic Lupus Erythomatosis
• dermatitis herpetiformis
  • is a cutaneous manifestation of coeliac disease
  • 60-80% of patients also have coeliac disease
  • manifests as an intensely itchy, blistering rash on the trunk and extensor surfaces of the limbs
  • skin biopsy of an adjacent non-blistered are can confirm the diagnosis
• neurological and psychological illness
  • coeliac patients may have peripheral neuropathy, cerebellar ataxia, myopathy, encephalopathy, migraine, cranial nerve palsy
  • depression and low mood
  • often respond at least partially to a gluten-free diet but not in all cases
• fertility and pregnancy
  • coeliac disease is associated with amenorrhoea and subfertility

Reference:

• (1) British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) 2010. The management of adults with coeliac disease