associated conditions

Last reviewed 01/2018

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

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