Adult coeliac disease and cigarette smoking

Increased prevalence and mortality in undiagnosed celiac disease

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The historical prevalence and long-term outcome of undiagnosed celiac disease (CD) are unknown. We investigated the long-term outcome of undiagnosed CD and whether the prevalence of undiagnosed CD has changed during the past 50 years.

METHODS

This study included 9133 healthy young adults at Warren Air Force Base (sera were collected between 1948 and 1954) and 12,768 gender-matched subjects from 2 recent cohorts from Olmsted County, Minnesota, with either similar years of birth (n = 5558) or age at sampling (n = 7210) to that of the Air Force cohort. Sera were tested for tissue transglutaminase and, if abnormal, for endomysial antibodies. Survival was measured during a follow-up period of 45 years in the Air Force cohort. The prevalence of undiagnosed CD between the Air Force cohort and recent cohorts was compared.

RESULTS

Of 9133 persons from the Air Force cohort, 14 (0.2%) had undiagnosed CD. In this cohort, during 45 years of follow-up, all-cause mortality was greater in persons with undiagnosed CD than among those who were seronegative (hazard ratio = 3.9; 95% confidence interval, 2.0-7.5; P < .001). Undiagnosed CD was found in 68 (0.9%) persons with similar age at sampling and 46 (0.8%) persons with similar years of birth. The rate of undiagnosed CD was 4.5-fold and 4-fold greater in the recent cohorts, respectively, than in the Air Force cohort (both P < or = .0001).

CONCLUSIONS

During 45 years of follow-up, undiagnosed CD was associated with a nearly 4-fold increased risk of death. The prevalence of undiagnosed CD seems to have increased dramatically in the United States during the past 50 years.

Perinatal risk factors and coeliac disease in children and young adults: a record linkage study

BACKGROUND

Little is known about perinatal risk factors and coeliac disease.

AIM

To investigate the relationship between perinatal risk factors and subsequent coeliac disease among offspring.

METHODS

Record linked abstracts of birth registrations, maternity, in-patient and day case records in a defined population of southern England.

RESULTS

Using univariate analysis, coeliac disease in the child was associated with maternal coeliac disease (odds ratio = 20.6; 95% CI = 5.04-84.0; based on two cases in both mother and child) and with social class, year of birth, maternal smoking and parity. Multivariate analysis confirmed an increased risk of coeliac disease of 3.79 (95% CI = 1.85-7.79) for classes IV and V compared with I and II, an increased risk of 1.92 (1.06-3.49) for births during 1975-1979 compared with 1970-1974 and an increased risk of 1.80 (1.05-3.09) for 'subsequent' compared with 'first' births. Smoking during pregnancy was no longer associated with coeliac disease. Because numbers were small, maternal coeliac disease was excluded from the multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows increased risks of coeliac disease for manual social classes, births during the late 1970s and 'subsequent' births. Overall, perinatal risk factors seem to have a limited role in the aetiology of coeliac disease in children and young adults.

A tale of two cities: typical celiac sprue presenting symptoms are significantly more common in Turkish than in US Patients

GOAL

Recent studies suggest an increasing prevalence of atypical initial symptoms in patients with celiac disease (CD). The aim of this study was to compare the presenting symptoms of CD at 2 comparable referral institutions in South Florida, and in Ankara, Turkey. We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients with an initial diagnosis of CD by small bowel biopsy during the same (1991 to 2001) 10-year period at Cleveland Clinic Florida and University of Ankara, Turkey. A numerical score was assigned to presenting symptom and signs.

RESULTS

There were 28 patients in the South Florida group (51% men) and 40 patients in the Turkish group (35% men) (P=NS). The Turkish patients were significantly younger at diagnosis (36+/-2 y vs. US patients 66+/-3 y) (P<0.0001). Typical celiac symptom scores were similar (Turkey 1.1+/-0.2 vs. South Florida 1.3+/-0.3) (P=NS). Atypical symptom scores were significantly higher in the US patients (1.9+/-0.2) versus those from Turkey (1.2+/-0.1) (P<0.01). The Turkish patients were significantly more likely (P<0.01) to present with chronic diarrhea, hypoalbuminemia, and mactocytosis at the time of diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Although retrospective, this study points to striking differences in the clinical presentation of CD in individuals in South Florida, United States, and Ankara, Turkey, diagnosed during the same time period at both institutions. Turkish patients were younger, and more likely to present with chronic diarrhea, hypoalbuminemia, and microcytosis-as was more commonly seen in the United States in the 1960s and 70s. These findings raise the question of an interplay of demographics with diet and genetics in the presenting symptoms of CD in these 2 distant geographic areas.

Risk of thromboembolism in 14,000 individuals with coeliac disease

The risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) was examined in individuals with coeliac disease (CD). The Swedish national inpatient register was used to identify 14 207 individuals with a diagnosis of CD (1964-2003). These individuals were matched for age, sex, calendar year and county with 69 048 reference individuals. Cox regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for subsequent thromboembolism in individuals with more than 1 year of follow-up and no prior VTE. CD was associated with an increased risk of subsequent VTE (HR = 1.86; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.54-2.24). The risk increase was restricted to individuals with CD diagnosed in adulthood. Risk estimates were not affected by the presence of diabetes mellitus or concomitant surgery. Compared with inpatients as reference individuals, CD individuals remained at increased risk of subsequent VTE (adjusted HR = 1.27; 95% CI = 1.06-1.52). In conclusion, this study found a statistically significantly positive association between CD and VTE. This modest association might be explained by a combination of surveillance bias and chronic inflammation.

Risk of pancreatitis in 14,000 individuals with celiac disease

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The aim of this study was to examine the risk of pancreatitis in patients with celiac disease (CD) from a general population cohort.

METHODS

By using Swedish national registers, we identified 14,239 individuals with a diagnosis of CD (1964-2003) and 69,381 reference individuals matched for age, sex, calendar year, and county of residence at the time of diagnosis. Cox regression estimated the hazard ratios (HRs) for a subsequent diagnosis of pancreatitis. We restricted analyses to individuals with more than 1 year of follow-up and no diagnosis of pancreatitis before or within 1 year after study entry. Conditional logistic regression estimated the association of pancreatitis with subsequent CD.

RESULTS

CD was associated with an increased risk of subsequent pancreatitis of any type (HR, 3.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.6-4.4; P < .001; on the basis of 95 positive events in individuals with CD vs 163 positive events in reference individuals) and chronic pancreatitis (HR, 19.8; 95% CI, 9.2-42.8; P < .001; on the basis of 37 and 13 positive events, respectively). Adjustment for socioeconomic index, diabetes mellitus, alcohol-related disorders, or gallstone disease had no notable effect on the risk estimates. The risk increase for pancreatitis was only found among individuals with CD diagnosed in adulthood. Pancreatitis of any type (odds ratio, 3.2; 95% CI, 2.5-4.3; P < .001) and chronic pancreatitis (odds ratio, 7.3; 95% CI, 4.0-13.5; P < .001) were associated with subsequent CD.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that individuals with CD are at increased risk of pancreatitis.

Determinants of endomysial antibody status in untreated coeliac disease

BACKGROUND

Serum endomysial antibody (EMA) is a highly specific marker of untreated coeliac disease (CD). The published estimates of sensitivity however vary widely and the explanation for this remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the relative prevalence of EMA-negative CD and to identify clinical and histological characteristics which relate to EMA status.

METHOD

Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data on incident cases of CD in a single hospital over a 10-year period with determination of EMA status before gluten withdrawal.

RESULTS

From a total of 241 participants, 37 [15% (95% confidence interval: 11, 20%)] were EMA negative, of whom only four were IgA deficient. EMA-positive and EMA-negative patients shared a number of characteristics including female predominance and a high prevalence of HLA DQ2. EMA status was associated with age-test sensitivity and exceeded 98% below the age of 35 years, falling to around 80% in older age groups overall, and lower still in current cigarette smokers. EMA status was not influenced by sex, family history of CD, other autoimmune disease, or by potential clinical or histological markers of disease severity.

CONCLUSION

A substantial proportion of patients with true CD are EMA negative. This has implications for the pathogenesis of the disease. It also limits the value of EMA as a screening test, particularly in older adults and cigarette smokers.

Vascular disease in a population-based cohort of individuals hospitalised with coeliac disease

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the risk of cardiovascular disease in individuals with coeliac disease (CD).

DESIGN

Swedish national hospital-based register data were used to identify 13,358 individuals who had been diagnosed with CD (1964-2003) and 64,118 age-matched and sex-matched individuals without CD. Cox regression was used to estimate the risk of vascular disease in subjects with CD. Analyses were restricted to individuals with a follow-up of >1 year and with no vascular disease before study entry.

RESULTS

CD was associated with myocardial infarction (HR 1.27; 95% CI 1.09 to 1.48), angina pectoris (1.46; 1.25 to 1.70), heart failure (1.41; 1.22 to 1.62), brain haemorrhage (1.40; 1.05 to 1.88) and ischaemic stroke (1.35; 1.14 to 1.60). These risk estimates were similar when analyses were restricted to adults in whom vascular disease had been listed as the main diagnosis. In post-hoc analyses, where reference individuals were restricted to inpatients, no association was found between CD and later vascular disease, except for a lower risk of heart failure (0.79; 0.68 to 0.92).

CONCLUSIONS

The positive association between CD and later vascular disease may be explained by ascertainment bias.

Coeliac disease and the risk of fractures - a general population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND

Earlier studies have suggested that untreated coeliac disease may be associated with osteoporosis, but results are contradictory for the risk of long-term fractures.

AIM

To study the association between coeliac disease and fractures.

METHODS

We used Cox regresson to examine the future risk of hip fracture and fracture of any type in more than 13 000 individuals with coeliac disease and 65 000 age- and sex-matched reference individuals in a general population-based cohort.

RESULTS

During follow-up, 1365 first hip fractures and 4847 fractures of any type occurred. Coeliac disease was positively associated with subsequent hip fracture (hazard ratio = 2.1; 95% CI = 1.8-2.4) (in children: hazard ratio = 2.6; 95% CI = 1.1-6.2) and fractures of any type (hazard ratio = 1.4; 95% CI = 1.3-1.5) (in children: hazard ratio = 1.1; 95% CI = 1.0-1.2). The absolute excess risk of hip fractures in children with coeliac disease was 4/100 000 person-years. Incidence ratios for hip fracture in individuals with CD were around two both prior to diagnosis of coeliac disease and afterwards; this risk increase remained 20 years after diagnosis of coeliac disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Individuals with coeliac disease, including children with coeliac disease, may be at increased risk of hip fracture and fracture of any type. Coeliac disease may be positively associated with long-term hip fracture risk.

Exploitation of the nicotinic anti-inflammatory pathway for the treatment of epithelial inflammatory diseases

Discoveries in the first few years of the 21st century have led to an understanding of important interactions between the nervous system and the inflammatory response at the molecular level, most notably the acetylcholine (ACh)-triggered, α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR)-dependent nicotinic anti-inflammatory pathway. Studies using the α7nAChR agonist, nicotine, for the treatment of mucosal inflammation have been undertaken but the efficacy of nicotine as a treatment for inflammatory bowel diseases remains debatable. Further understanding of the nicotinic anti-inflammatory pathway and other endogenous anti-inflammatory mechanisms is required in order to develop refined and specific therapeutic strategies for the treatment of a number of inflammatory diseases and conditions, including periodontitis, psoriasis, sarcoidosis, and ulcerative colitis.

Diagnosis underlying appendectomy and coeliac disease risk

BACKGROUND

Earlier studies suggest that appendectomy is associated with a substantially reduced risk of certain types of bowel inflammation such as ulcerative colitis, particularly where the underlying diagnosis is acute appendicitis. Previous research on appendectomy and coeliac disease is inconsistent, based on small numbers with retrospective data collection, and has not differentiated between different diagnoses underlying appendectomy.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association of diagnosis underlying appendectomy with coeliac disease.

METHODS

We used Cox regression to study the risk of later appendectomy in more than 14,000 individuals with coeliac disease and 68,000 referents without coeliac disease, identified through the Swedish National Registers 1964-2003, and conditional logistic regression to study the risk of coeliac disease associated with a history of prior appendectomy. Appendectomy was categorised according to the underlying diagnosis: perforated appendicitis, non-perforated appendicitis, and appendectomy without appendicitis.

RESULTS

Overall, coeliac disease was negatively associated with perforated appendicitis (hazard ratio=0.78, 95% confidence interval=0.60-1.01), not associated with non-perforated appendicitis (hazard ratio=1.11, 95% confidence interval=0.99-1.25), but positively associated with appendectomy without appendicitis (hazard ratio=1.58, 95% confidence interval=1.32-1.89). The magnitudes of the relative risks were similar irrespective of whether coeliac disease occurred prior to or after appendectomy.

CONCLUSION

Coeliac disease and perforated appendicitis are negatively associated irrespective of the timing of the conditions. Not surprisingly, CD increases the risk for appendectomy without appendicitis.

Coeliac disease and risk of tuberculosis: a population based cohort study

BACKGROUND

Coeliac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disease often characterised by malnutrition and linked to a number of complications such as an increased risk of lymphoma, adverse pregnancy outcome, and other autoimmune diseases. Tuberculosis (TB) affects a large proportion of the world population and is more common in individuals with malnutrition. We investigated the risk of TB in 14 335 individuals with CD and 69 888 matched reference individuals in a general population based cohort study.

METHODS

Cox proportional hazards method was used to calculate the risk of subsequent TB in individuals with CD. In a separate analysis, the risk of CD in individuals with prior TB was calculated using conditional logistic regression.

RESULTS

CD was associated with an increased risk of subsequent TB (hazard ratio (HR) 3.74, 95% CI 2.14 to 6.53; p < 0.001). Similar risk estimates were seen when the population was stratified for sex and age at CD diagnosis. Individuals with CD were also at increased risk of TB diagnosed in departments of pulmonary medicine, infectious diseases, paediatrics, or thoracic medicine (HR 4.76, 95% CI 2.23 to 10.16; p < 0.001). The odds ratio for CD in individuals with prior TB was 2.50 (95% CI 1.75 to 3.55; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

CD is associated with TB. This may be due to malabsorption and lack of vitamin D in persons with CD. Individuals with TB and gastrointestinal symptoms should be investigated for CD.

Effect of HLA DQ2, dietary exposure and coeliac disease on the development of antibody response to gliadin in children

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of HLA DQ2, dietary history and development of coeliac disease (CD) on the induction of antibody response to wheat gliadin and cow's milk, beta-lactoglobulin between 1 and 2.5 years of age in children who developed CD and in healthy children.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Infants participating in a birth cohort study (the ABIS study) in Sweden were studied. Thirty-nine children developed CD (=cases), confirmed through biopsy, during follow-up until 2.5-5 years of age. A total of 181 healthy control children were matched for duration of exclusive breast-feeding, birth-weight, gender, maternal smoking and season of birth. IgG and IgA antigliadin and anti-beta-lactoglobulin antibodies were measured using enzyme immunoassay (EIA). The effects of HLA-risk genotypes, DQ2 and DQ8, on CD were also considered.

RESULTS

Children who developed CD had higher IgG and IgA antigliadin and anti-beta-lactoglobulin antibody levels at 1 year of age than controls (all comparisons: p<0.001). Similar differences were seen between cases with as yet undiagnosed CD by 1 year of age and controls, and also when cases were compared with HLA-matched controls. Higher levels of IgG and IgA antibodies to beta-lactoglobulin (p=0.003; p=0.001), but not to gliadin, were found in treated cases versus controls at 2.5 years of age. HLA-DQ2-positive healthy children had lower levels of IgG and IgA antigliadin antibodies than HLA-DQ2 negative controls at 1 year of age (p=0.004; p=0.012).

CONCLUSIONS

Enhanced humoral response emerging not only to gliadin, but also to other food antigens seems to be primarily associated with CD. Poor induction of antibody response to wheat gliadin in healthy children with the HLA-DQ2 risk molecule could at least partly explain the genetic predisposition to gluten intolerance and CD.

Malignancies and mortality in patients with coeliac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis: 30-year population-based study

BACKGROUND AND AIM

To assess the long-term risks of malignant diseases and mortality in patients with coeliac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis in a centre, where the prevalence of these diseases is high. The risks have probably been overestimated, as patients with subtle forms have earlier remained undetected.

PATIENTS

The study comprised 17,245 person-years of follow-up in 1147 patients.

METHODS

The observed numbers of malignancies and causes of deaths were assessed, and compared to those expected, and standardised incidence ratio and standardised mortality ratio given.

RESULTS

The occurrence of all malignant conditions was equal to that in the population both in coeliac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis: standardised incidence ratios of 1.2 (95% confidence intervals 0.9-1.5) and 1.0 (0.6-1.5), respectively. Five patients with coeliac disease and seven with dermatitis herpetiformis had developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma; standardised incidence ratios of 3.2 (1.0-7.5) and 6.0 (2.4-12.4), respectively. Four patients with coeliac disease and one with dermatitis herpetiformis had enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma, associated with inadequate dietary compliance. Mortality was increased (standardised mortality ratio 1.26; 1.00-1.55) in coeliac disease, but decreased in dermatitis herpetiformis (standardised mortality ratio 0.52; 0.36-0.72).

CONCLUSION

The overall prognosis in our patients was good. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma emerged in patients with undiagnosed or poorly treated coeliac disease. The mortality rate in dermatitis herpetiformis was even lower than in the population. Our data support the early diagnosis and dietary treatment of these conditions.

Coeliac disease and risk of renal disease-a general population cohort study

BACKGROUND

Coeliac disease (CD) may be a risk factor for renal disease.

METHODS

We investigated the risk of any form of glomerulonephritis (GN) (acute, chronic and non-specified), chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN) and renal replacement therapy including dialysis treatment and kidney transplantation (KT) in patients with CD in a general population-based cohort study. We used Cox regression to assess the risk of renal disease in 14,336 patients who had received a diagnosis of CD (1964-2003) and 69,875 reference individuals matched for age, calendar year, sex and county. Patients were identified using the Swedish Hospital Discharge Registry. Follow-up began 1 year after study entry.

RESULTS

CD was associated with an increased risk of any form of GN (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.64; 95% confidence intervals (CI) = 1.01-2.66; P = 0.046; 89 events), CGN (HR = 2.65; 95% CI = 1.34-5.24; P = 0.005; 39 events), dialysis (HR = 3.48; 95% CI = 2.26-5.37; P < 0.001; 102 positive events) and KT (HR = 3.15; 95% CI = 1.29-7.71; P = 0.012; 22 events).

CONCLUSION

We suggest that immune characteristics associated with CD increase the risk of chronic renal disease. Individuals with CD may also be at a moderately increased risk of any form of GN.

Mechanisms of Disease: nicotine—a review of its actions in the context of gastrointestinal disease

Smoking tobacco is associated with a number of gastrointestinal disorders. In some, such as Crohn's disease and peptic ulcer disease, it increases the risk of disease and has a detrimental effect on their course. In others, such as ulcerative colitis, it decreases the risk of disease and can have a favorable effect on disease course and severity. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, nicotine was used as a 'panacea' for various ailments, including abdominal symptoms--it is now under investigation to elucidate its role in gastrointestinal diseases that are associated with smoking. The actions of nicotine are complex; it is likely that its effects on the central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract and immune system interact with other risk factors, such as genetic susceptibility, to influence disease outcomes. This review focuses on the mechanisms of action of nicotine that might be relevant in gastrointestinal disease.

Factors associated with the development of post-infectious functional gastrointestinal diseases: does smoking play a role?

OBJECTIVES

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is associated with psychological stress, alterations in gut motor function and/or visceral perception. Previous studies suggest 7-32% of people develop IBS after bacterial gastroenteritis but the exact mechanisms underlying post-infectious IBS are not clear. The present study's aim was to examine the role of possible causative factors in the development of post-infectious functional gastro-intestinal disorders (FGIDs), including IBS.

METHODS

A prospective cohort study where 122 people without a prior FGID under study and with stool-positive bacterial gastroenteritis consented to participate. The presence or not of IBS, functional dyspepsia or functional diarrhoea was diagnosed at the start and on 6-month follow-up using self-complete Rome II modular questionnaires. Demographic data, smoking, alcohol use, anxiety and depression (using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), and life events and impact (using the Life Events Survey) were collected at the start of the study.

RESULTS

One hundred and seven questionnaires were returned with 25 participants (23.4%) developing a FGID and 16 participants presenting symptoms consistent with IBS (15%). Smoking was significantly associated with the development of a post-infectious FGID (odds ratio = 4.8, 95% confidence interval = 1.5-15.2) on regression analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Post-infectious FGIDs appear to be associated with smoking. Smoking is known to moderate gut immunity in other disorders such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. This study adds to increasing evidence for an organic basis to post-infectious FGIDs, perhaps moderated via inflammatory pathways.

Association of celiac disease and intestinal lymphomas and other cancers

Celiac disease (CD) is associated with intestinal lymphoma and other forms of cancer, especially adenocarcinoma of the small intestine, of the pharynx, and of the esophagus. Enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma (EATL) is a rare form of high-grade, T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) of the upper small intestine that is specifically associated with CD. This NHL subtype arises in patients with either previously or concomitantly diagnosed CD. In a subgroup of patients, there is progressive deterioration of a refractory form of CD. EATL derives from a clonal proliferation of intraepithelial lymphocytes and is often disseminated at diagnosis. Extraintestinal presentations are not uncommon in the liver/spleen, thyroid, skin, nasal sinus, and brain. The outlook of EATL is poor. Recent studies indicated that (1) CD is associated with a significantly increased risk for NHL, especially of the T-cell type and primarily localized in the gut (EATL); (2) the CD-lymphoma association is less common than previously thought, with a relative risk close to 3; (3) CD screening is not required in patients with NHL of any primary site at the onset, unless suggested by specific findings (T-cell origin and/or primary gut localization). The risk of NHL associated with clinically milder (or silent) forms could be lower than in typical cases of CD. Several follow-up studies suggest that the GFD protects from cancer development, especially if started during the first years of life. Strict adherence to the GFD seems to be the only possibility of preventing a subset of rare but very aggressive forms of cancer.

Grown-up coeliac children: the effects of only a few years on a gluten-free diet in childhood

AIM

To evaluate clinical and psychological status of adults with childhood diagnosis of coeliac disease who were re-exposed to gluten after only a few years and now on a gluten-containing diet, compared with adults with recent diagnosis of coeliac disease, and adults who remained on gluten-free diet after childhood diagnosis.

METHODS

A total of 195 adults with a biopsy suggestive of coeliac disease in childhood, who either had adhered to a gluten-free diet for at least 1 year after diagnosis and now are either on gluten-free diet (n = 110) or on gluten-containing diet (n = 85), and adults with newly diagnosed coeliac disease (n = 165) underwent a medical check-up.

RESULTS

Body mass index and main laboratory indices were statistically different among groups (lowest in never on gluten-free diet, highest in gluten-free diet). The lowest average levels of bone mineral density were found among never on gluten-free diet patients. Prevalence of autoimmune disorders was increased in never on gluten-free diet when compared with the transient gluten-free diet and gluten-free diet groups. Histology revealed villous subatrophy in all patients of never on gluten-free diet group, in 39 of 110 patients of gluten-free diet and in 84 of 85 of transient gluten-free diet groups. Herpetiform dermatitis was found in three patients of gluten-free diet, three of transient gluten-free diet and three of never on gluten-free diet. Dental enamel defects were found in 15 patients of transient gluten-free diet, 43 of never on gluten-free diet and in zero of the gluten-free diet group. Pregnancy outcome was not significantly different between the two groups, but neonatal weight was lower and breast feeding was shorter in the never on gluten-free diet group. Sexual habits, alcohol intake and cigarette smoking were significantly different in the never on gluten-free diet group when compared with the other two groups.

CONCLUSION

Gluten withdrawal in childhood partly protects coeliac adults from clinical and behavioural effects of gluten sensitivity.

Socio-economic characteristics in children with coeliac disease

AIM

To study the relationship between socio-economic factors and coeliac disease.

METHODS

This study was part of a prospective cohort study of 16 286 children born from 1 October 1997-1 October 1999 (the ABIS study; All Babies in Southeast Sweden). Eight paediatric departments recorded all children with coeliac disease in southeast Sweden. Coeliac disease was confirmed through biopsy. Socio-economic characteristics (maternal employment, civil status, whether parents were born in Sweden, parental education, place of living before pregnancy and during pregnancy, crowded living), infant sex, previous siblings, parental age and maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy were analysed using logistic regression. All data, except for those related to diagnosis of coeliac disease, were obtained through a questionnaire distributed at birth.

RESULTS

Coeliac disease in the offspring was less common among mothers who had worked < 3 mo during pregnancy (odds ratio, OR = 0.29; 95% CI: 0.09-0.94; p = 0.039). This risk decrease remained after adjustment for confounders (adjusted OR = 0.28; 95% CI: 0.09-0.92; p = 0.035). No other socio-economic factor was related to coeliac disease.

CONCLUSION

This study indicates that most socio-economic factors are probably of little importance to the development of coeliac disease.

Risk of malignancy in diagnosed coeliac disease: a 24-year prospective, population-based, cohort study

BACKGROUND

There is recent evidence from studies of hospitalized and of undiagnosed patients that the risk of lymphoma for people with coeliac disease may be lower than previously thought. In addition, there have been no precise estimates of small bowel lymphoma risk due to a lack of population data.

AIM

To examine these and other malignant risks in a cohort of patients more typical of those seen in routine clinical practice.

METHODS

A prospective cohort study of incident malignancy rates in patients with coeliac disease in southern Derbyshire compared with general population figures.

RESULTS

During 5684 person years of follow-up 31 malignancies (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer) occurred in comparison with 30.30 expected [standardized incidence ratio (SIR) 1.02 (0.69-1.45)]. There were four non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (0.69 expected) SIR 5.81 (1.58-14.86), of which one originated in small bowel (0.02 expected) SIR 40.51 (1.03-225.68). GI malignancy occurred in nine (5.71 expected) SIR 1.58 (0.72-2.99), and breast cancer in three (5.08 expected) SIR 0.59 (0.12-1.73).

CONCLUSIONS

There is no increase in the risk of incident malignancy in this population and the risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in general or of the small bowel is lower than previously found from UK coeliac cohorts.

Malignancy and mortality in people with coeliac disease: population based cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To quantify the risks of malignancy and mortality in people with coeliac disease compared with the general population.

DESIGN

Population based cohort study.

SETTING

General practice research database.

PARTICIPANTS

4732 people with coeliac disease and 23,620 matched controls.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Hazard ratios for malignancy and mortality.

RESULTS

Of the 4732 people with coeliac disease, 134 (2.8%) had at least one malignancy and 237 (5.0%) died. The overall hazard ratios were: for any malignancy 1.29 (95% confidence interval 1.06 to 1.55), for mortality 1.31 (1.13 to 1.51), for gastrointestinal cancer 1.85 (1.22 to 2.81), for breast cancer 0.35 (0.17 to 0.72), for lung cancer 0.34 (0.13 to 0.95), and for lymphoproliferative disease 4.80 (2.71 to 8.50). The increased risk was primarily in the first year after diagnosis, with the risk for only lymphoproliferative disease remaining significantly raised thereafter. After excluding events in the year after diagnosis, the hazard ratio for malignancy was 1.10 (0.87 to 1.39) and for mortality was 1.17 (0.98 to 1.38), giving absolute excess rates of 6 and 17 per 10,000 person years, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

People with coeliac disease have modest increases in overall risks of malignancy and mortality. Most of this excess risk occurs in the year of follow up after diagnosis. People with coeliac disease also have a noticeably reduced risk of breast cancer. The mechanism of this merits further attention as it may provide insights into the cause of this common malignancy.

Risk of vascular disease in adults with diagnosed coeliac disease: a population-based study

BACKGROUND

It has been suggested that vascular disease mortality may be reduced in coeliac disease because of lower levels of blood pressure, cholesterol and body mass.

AIM

To examine whether people with coeliac disease are at reduced risk of various vascular diseases.

METHODS

We identified 3,790 adults with diagnosed coeliac disease and 17,925 age- and sex-matched controls in the General Practice Research Database. We estimated odds ratios for diagnosed hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia and atrial fibrillation and hazard ratios for myocardial infarction and stroke.

RESULTS

Adults with coeliac disease, compared with controls, were less likely to have had a diagnosis of hypertension [11% vs. 15%, odds ratio 0.68 (95% confidence interval: 0.60-0.76)] or hypercholesterolaemia [3.0% vs. 4.8%, odds ration 0.58 (95% confidence interval: 0.47-0.72)] but slightly more likely to have had atrial fibrillation [2.1% vs. 1.7%, odds ratio 1.26 (95% confidence interval: 0.97-1.64)]. The hazard ratio for myocardial infarction was 0.85 (95% confidence interval: 0.63-1.13), while the hazard ratio for stroke was 1.29 (95% confidence interval: 0.98-1.70).

CONCLUSIONS

Although rates of myocardial infarction and stroke were not substantially different, adults with coeliac disease do have a lower prevalence of hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia compared with the general population. The effect of a gluten-free diet on cardiovascular risk factors should be determined before any screening programmes for coeliac disease are instituted.

Is the risk of adult coeliac disease causally related to cigarette exposure?

OBJECTIVE

Previous studies have shown an association between cigarette smoking and coeliac disease, but it has yet to be established whether this relationship is causal. The aim of this study was to assess causality using the Bradford Hill criteria.

METHODS

A matched case-control study using a questionnaire to establish a detailed smoking history for 138 incident cases of adult coeliac disease and 276 age-matched and sex-matched controls. Subjects were categorized according to their active cigarette exposure prior to diagnosis of the matched case, and odds ratios and tests for linear trends were calculated.

RESULTS

At the time of diagnosis, 10% of cases and 30% of controls were current smokers (odds ratio, 0.21 and 95% confidence interval, 0.11-0.40 for coeliac disease in current smokers versus never smokers). A biological gradient was demonstrated for total, recent and current cigarette exposure. The greatest risk reduction related to current exposure (odds ratio, 0.15, and 95% confidence interval, 0.06-0.37 for coeliac disease in current heavy smokers versus never smokers).

CONCLUSIONS

This study strengthens the case for a causal relationship between smoking and coeliac disease by demonstrating a strong, temporally appropriate and dose-dependent effect, thus meeting the Bradford Hill criteria. This suggests that cigarette smoking truly protects against the development of adult coeliac disease.

Seroprevalence, correlates, and characteristics of undetected coeliac disease in England

OBJECTIVE

To examine the seroprevalence, correlates, and characteristics of undetected coeliac disease in a large adult population sample in Cambridge, UK.

METHODS

The Cambridge General Practice Health Study invited individuals from 12 general practices, aged 45-76 years, to attend for a health survey that included a bone density measurement, between 1990 and 1995. A total of 7550 participants' serum samples were tested for antiendomysial antibody (EMA). Seroprevalence of undetected coeliac disease was based on EMA positivity. Differences between EMA positive and negative participants of various physiological correlates and reported characteristics were estimated by multivariate logistic and linear regression and adjusted for age, sex, social class, and smoking behaviour.

RESULTS

The seroprevalence of undetected coeliac disease in this general population sample aged 45-76 was 1.2% (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.9-1.4). EMA positive participants (n=87) were on average slightly lighter by 2.2 kg (p=0.08), were more likely to have reported their general health as being "good or excellent" (odds ratio (OR) 1.76 (95% CI 0.90-3.46)), and were less likely to report being a current smoker (OR for current versus never 0.36 (95% CI 0.14-0.90)) than EMA negative participants. EMA positivity was associated with an 8% reduction in mean serum cholesterol (0.5 mmol/l; p<0.01) and reductions in mean haemoglobin (0.3 g/dl; p<0.01), total protein (1.0 g/l; p<0.05), and corrected serum calcium (0.02 mmol/l; p<0.05). There was an increased risk of osteoporosis in EMA positive participants (OR 3.1 (95% CI 1.3-7.2)) and of mild anaemia (OR 4.6 (95% CI 2.5-8.2)) compared with EMA negative participants.

CONCLUSIONS

Undetected coeliac disease is likely to affect approximately 1% of the population of England aged 45-76 years, a value similar to several other countries. Those affected report "better health" but they do have an increased risk of osteoporosis and mild anaemia. In contrast, they have a favourable cardiovascular risk profile that may afford protection from ischaemic heart disease and stroke.

Presentations of adult celiac disease in a nationwide patient support group

Recent epidemiological studies primarily from Europe document that adult celiac disease often lacks the classic presentation of steatorrhea and weight loss. There are few surveys of adult celiac disease in the United States. We surveyed the large population of a nationwide patient support group to determine their disease presentations. In the initial survey (N = 1032 respondents), the median age at onset was 46 years, and the diagnosis of adult celiac disease was often delayed (median 12 months, with 21% delayed over 10 years). Only 32% of adults were underweight, and only about 50% reported frequent diarrhea and weight loss. A second survey documented that common presenting symptoms were fatigue (82%), abdominal pain (77%), bloating or gas (73%), and anemia (63%). Initial physician diagnoses were often irritable bowel syndrome (37%), psychological disorders (29%), and fibromyalgia (9%). These initial presentations are similar to those in Europe and often resemble irritable bowel syndrome.

Clinical aspects and pathophysiology of inflammatory bowel disease

The chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, are recognized as important causes of gastrointestinal disease in children and adults. In this review we delineate the clinical manifestations and diagnostic features of IBD. In addition, we summarize important recent advances in our understanding of the immune mediators of intestinal inflammation. This information has led to new therapeutic approaches in IBD. Further, we discuss the considerable data that point to the significance of genetic factors in the development of IBD and the genetic loci which have been implicated through genome-wide searches. The commensal bacterial flora also appears to be a critical element, particularly in regards to Crohn's disease, although the precise role of the bacteria in the disease manifestations remains unclear. Current investigations promise to yield fresh insights in these areas.

Coeliac disease in the father affects the newborn

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Untreated coeliac disease in the mother is associated with lower birth weight. We examined the risk of adverse neonatal outcome when the infant's mother, father, or other relative suffered from known coeliac disease.

METHODS

Mothers answered a questionnaire a few days after the birth of their infant. Of a total of 10,597 single birth infants from Southeast Sweden, 53 infants had a mother with coeliac disease (father 27, sibling 70, other close relative 442). Adjusted odds ratios and adjusted differences for neonatal outcome were calculated.

RESULTS

Infants whose father suffered from coeliac disease had a lower birth weight (95% adjusted confidence interval (CI) -459, -72 g), more often belonged to the low birth weight (LBW) category (LBW < or =2499 g) (95% CI adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.48--17.18), and had a shorter pregnancy duration (95% adjusted CI -1.53, -0.08 weeks) than non-coeliac controls. They also weighed less than infants whose father suffered from other autoimmune diseases (95% CI -549, -93 g). Infants whose mother suffered from coeliac disease had a lower birth weight (95% adjusted CI -370, -74 g) and more often belonged to the LBW category (95% CI AOR 2.60--15.08) than non-coeliac controls. These infants were more often in the LBW category than infants whose mother suffered from non-diabetic autoimmune diseases (95% CI AOR 1.24--9.65). Coeliac disease in other relatives was not associated with any adverse effect on neonatal outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that even treated coeliac disease, in either of the parents, has a negative effect on pregnancy, resulting in lower birth weight and perhaps shorter duration of pregnancy.

Cigarette smoking and celiac sprue: a case-control study

OBJECTIVE

Environmental factors other than gliadin exposure and certain HLA haplotypes may play a role in the pathogenesis of celiac disease. Previous studies have suggested a strong inverse relationship between cigarette smoking and celiac disease. We sought to determine the relationship between celiac disease and cigarette smoking in our patient population.

METHODS

All newly diagnosed adults with biopsy-proven celiac disease evaluated at Mayo Clinic Rochester between January 1, 1993, and June 30, 1998, were identified. Three clinic patients who were matched to each case on geographical area of residence, age, gender, and calendar year of visit served as controls. Smoking information was obtained from a standard medical questionnaire that was completed by all clinic patients at the time of registration. The adjusted odds ratio for celiac disease in current and former smokers relative to nonsmokers was estimated with a matched three-to-one conditional logistic regression model.

RESULTS

A total of 82 adults with biopsy-proven celiac disease were identified. At the time of diagnosis, the proportion of current smokers was 10% in cases and 10% in controls, yielding an adjusted odds ratio of 1.5 (95% CI = 0.5-4.3). In all, 34% of cases were former smokers versus 28% of controls, yielding an odds ratio of 1.6 (95% CI = 0.8-3.2).

CONCLUSION

This case-control study was unable to detect an association between cigarette smoking and celiac disease.

Adult endomysial antibody-negative coeliac disease and cigarette smoking

OBJECTIVE

To determine the relative incidence and characteristics of endomysial antibody (EMA)-negative coeliac disease in adults.

DESIGN

Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data on adults with newly diagnosed coeliac disease, with determination of EMA status before gluten withdrawal.

SETTING

District general hospital (secondary care institution).

PARTICIPANTS

Sixty consecutive incident cases.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

(i) Proportion of cases who were EMA-negative; (ii) comparison of clinical and laboratory variables at diagnosis for EMA-positive and EMA-negative subjects.

RESULTS

Fifteen subjects (25%, 95% CI 15-38%) were EMA negative, of whom only two were IgA deficient. There was clinical evidence in all 15 patients and histological evidence in 13 patients of a response to gluten withdrawal. No significant differences were found between EMA-positive and EMA-negative subjects with respect to histological features, age, gender, clinical manifestations, concurrent autoimmune disorders, family history of coeliac disease, or haemoglobin and albumin concentrations at diagnosis. However, EMA-negative status at diagnosis was associated strongly with current or recent cigarette smoking (OR 7.0, 95% CI 1.7-31.5, P= 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

A substantial minority of patients with otherwise typical coeliac disease are EMA negative, and most of these are IgA replete. The value of EMA as a screening tool is therefore limited. EMA status in untreated coeliac disease correlates strongly with cigarette smoking history: this may be of pathogenic significance, given the previously demonstrated association between smoking and the risk of coeliac disease.

Relation between cigarette smoking and celiac disease: evidence from a case-control study

OBJECTIVES

It has been suggested that environmental factors other than gliadin might play a role in pathogenesis of celiac disease. Cigarette smoking was reported to exert a protective effect against the development of symptomatic celiac disease; however, this relationship was not confirmed. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of cigarette smoking on celiac disease.

METHODS

A cohort of 87 consecutive celiac disease patients attending the clinic of Malabsorption and 174 age- and sex-matched individuals diagnosed with functional GI disorder were included in the study. Clinical information was obtained both at the time of diagnosis and at follow-up by reviewing the clinical history. Smoking information was obtained through an in-person interview using a questionnaire.

RESULTS

Although 33% of controls were current smokers at the time of the study, only 16% of celiac patients were smokers at diagnosis (odds ratio, 0.39; 95% confidence interval 0.19-0.79; p < 0.006). The proportion of nonsmokers among patients (84%) was significantly greater than that among controls (67%; odds ratio, 2.54; 95% confidence interval 1.27-5.16; p < 0.007). Current smoker patients had a lower baseline BMI (p < 0.05) and body weight (p < 0.05) compared to former smokers. Compared with nonsmokers, control individuals who were active smokers at entry in the study were younger (p < 0.02) and had lower body weight (p < 0.03) and BMI (p < 0.03). Interestingly, positive lineal correlation was observed between age at diagnosis and daily cigarette consumption (r = 0.72; p < 0.004) in active smokers. We did not detect any relationship either between causes for cessation of smoking and clinical symptoms or between differences in the proportions of smoking habits when patients were stratified according to their clinical status at diagnosis (symptomatic vs subclinical/asymptomatic cases).

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides evidence that, compared with control subjects, a significantly lower proportion of patients with celiac disease were current smokers at the time of diagnosis, and that cigarette smoking delayed diagnosis of celiac disease. Our study suggests that the nutritional compromise of patients with celiac disease who smoked resulted from the summation of the effect of celiac disease per se and that produced by the smoking habit. Further studies are necessary to identify whether the relationship between smoking and celiac disease is causal or incidental.

Birth outcomes of women with celiac disease: a nationwide historical cohort study

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to examine birthweight, low birthweight (<2500 g), and intrauterine growth retardation in offspring of women with celiac disease in relation to their first hospitalization for the disease.

METHODS

This was a historical cohort study based on The Danish Medical Birth Registry data of celiac women discharged from Danish hospitals from 1977-1992. The study included 211 newborns to 127 mothers with celiac disease, and 1260 control deliveries.

RESULTS

Before celiac women were first hospitalized the mean birthweight of their newborns was 238 g (95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 150, 325 g) lower than that of the control women, after adjustment for potential confounders. After the first hospitalization the mean birthweight for newborns of diseased women was higher than that of controls, by 67 g (95% CI = -88, 223 g) after adjustment for potential confounders. Before celiac women were first hospitalized we found an increased risk of low birthweight (odds ratio [OR] = 2.6, 95% CI = 1.3-5.5) and intrauterine growth retardation (OR = 3.4, 95% CI = 1.6-7.2). After celiac women were first hospitalized we found no increased risk of low birthweight and no babies with intrauterine growth retardation.

CONCLUSIONS

Offspring of mothers with celiac disease had lower birthweight than expected and more than a three-fold higher risk of intrauterine growth retardation when birth occurred before the first hospitalization for the disease. After the mother's first hospitalization the birthweight was similar to controls and no increased risk of low birthweight was seen. Our study indicates that treatment of celiac women is important in the prevention of fetal growth retardation.

Mucosal macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha levels are increased in Helicobacter pylori infection

We examined the relationship between the levels of macrophage inflammatory protein 1alpha (MIP-1alpha) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) in organ cultures of antral mucosal tissues, background gastroduodenal diseases, and grades of histologic gastritis. Significantly higher levels of MIP-1alpha and IL-8 were detected in patients with H. pylori infection than in those without infection. In H. pylori-positive patients, mucosal specimens from patients with peptic ulcer disease showed higher levels of MIP-1alpha and IL-8 than the specimens obtained from patients with erosive gastritis or those from endoscopically normal mucosa, and this was particularly pronounced in patients with duodenal ulcer. There were positive correlations between MIP-1alpha and IL-8 levels and histologic grades of activity, inflammation, and H. pylori density as defined by the Sydney system. However, the degree of association with the inflammatory cell count was different between these two chemokines. MIP-1alpha levels had a stronger association with mononuclear cells than with neutrophils, whereas IL-8 levels showed an association with neutrophils and mononuclear cells to an almost equal degree. These results suggest that MIP-1alpha and IL-8 may play important roles as inflammatory mediators in the pathogenesis of histologically proven H. pylori-associated gastritis.

Celiac sprue presenting during the puerperium: a report of three cases and a review of the literature

We present three patients in whom there was an acute presentation of malabsorption in the puerperium and in whom the final diagnosis was celiac sprue. The reason for the dramatic increase in the symptoms after delivery, as well as the absence of symptoms before this, is unclear but may be related to immunologic changes that occur during pregnancy.

Mechanisms of gastrointestinal reactions to food

Much of the genetic information that modulates mucosal immune responses was encoded several million years ago and has subsequently been subjected to modifications selected by the impact of microorganisms and food antigens. Confronted with these challenges, the intestinal immune system has developed two arms: (1) immune exclusion performed mainly by secretory IgA antibodies to inhibit colonization of pathogenic microorganisms and penetration of harmful antigens; and (2) down-regulatory mechanisms to avoid local and peripheral overreaction (hypersensitivity) towards innocuous substances. The latter phenomenon is called oral tolerance and apparently explains why most individuals show no adverse immune reactions food. When the mucosal barrier function is insufficient, tolerance to dietary antigens is abrogated in genetically susceptible individuals. This is most likely to occur during the vulnerable period after birth before the immunoregulatory network has been established. Breast-feeding appears to be immunologically important during this period, not only to substitute for the infant's lacking secretory antibodies but also because of its immune-modulating effects.

Risk factors for ischaemic heart disease in patients with dermatitis herpetiformis

For reasons that are unclear, patients with dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) have a lower than expected mortality rate from ischaemic heart disease. We have compared risk factors for ischaemic heart disease (lipids, fibrinogen levels, smoking history and social class) in 29 DH patients and 57 controls matched for age and sex. Patients with DH had significantly lower cholesterol, triglycerides, apolipoprotein B and fibrinogen and higher HDL2; they also smoked less and were of higher social class. The mechanisms underlying these observations merit further investigation. Intestinal abnormalities or gluten-free diet may account for differences in lipid fractions, and the immunomodulatory properties of cigarette smoke may protect against the development of DH.