Prevalence of prolonged prothrombin time in children with coeliac disease

Prevalence of Coagulopathy in Patients with Celiac Disease: A Single-Center Retrospective Case-Control Study

Introduction: Despite being one of the most frequent chronic digestive diseases worldwide, with a prevalence of 1%, celiac disease (CD) remains severely underdiagnosed. Among the instruments used to improve its diagnostic rate, hematologic parameters have been proposed as screening tests to select patients with an increased probability of having CD. Assessment of coagulation is included in routine check-ups, and CD has been reported to be associated with coagulopathy. We aimed to assess if subtle changes in coagulation tests could be used in clinical practice to prompt testing for CD. Methods: We retrospectively recruited all patients with clinical suspicion for CD during a study period of 7 years (between 2015 and 2022), who were tested using IgA tissue transglutaminase (tTG) serology and serum total IgA (IgG tTG in case of IgA deficiency) and who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with multiple biopsy sampling of the duodenal bulb and distal duodenum. We stratified patients into three groups: newly diagnosed CD, gluten-free diet-treated CD, and non-CD controls. Results: Altogether, there were 133 CD patients (71 newly diagnosed, 62 GFD-treated) and 57 non-CD controls. Mean age and gender distribution were similar among the three groups: 43.3 years for newly diagnosed CD, 41.6 years for non-CD controls, and 44 years for GFD-treated CD patients, with a male gender distribution of 21.1%, 28%, and 24.1%, respectively. Among the included newly diagnosed CD patients, 14% had a prolonged INR. The mean INR was slightly higher in newly diagnosed CD patients, compared to GFD-treated CD patients and non-CD controls: 1.12 ± 0.30, 1.02 ± 0.83, and 1.00 ± 0.08, respectively (p = 0.009). Consequently, prothrombin activity was slightly lower in newly diagnosed CD patients, compared to GFD-treated CD and non-CD controls: 94.9 ± 19.3%, 102.3 ± 12.8%, and 101.9 ± 15.15, respectively. Interestingly, after GFD, the mean INR and prothrombin activity of CD individuals reached a value similar to that of non-CD controls. Conclusions: Subtle changes in INR, defined as a value within the normal range, but closer to the upper limit, could be an indicator of probability for CD.

Unexpected Diagnosis in an Adolescent With Bruises and Ecchymosis: Celiac Disease

ABSTRACT

Acquired coagulopathy is a rare but challenging diagnosis for pediatric emergency physicians. Although the coagulopathy usually presents with mild skin and mucosal hemorrhages, it also can lead to life-threatening events. Thus, accurate interpretation of hints obtained from a detailed history, physical examination, and laboratory findings is essential for the prompt diagnosis and management. This case demonstrates an uncommon cause of coagulopathy; celiac disease that presented with spontaneous bruises and ecchymosis in an adolescent.

Celiac disease in Middle Eastern and North African countries: A new burden?

Celiac disease (CD) is now recognized as a common disorder among Middle Eastern (ME) and North African (NA) populations. The aim of this review is to assess the available data regarding CD in the ME and NA and to compare this information with that of Western countries. A literature review was performed using the electronic databases PubMed and Medline (1950-2008) as search engines, and “celiac disease” was used as a Mesh term. The search was limited to ME and NA countries. The prevalence of CD in ME and NA countries among low risk populations is similar to that of Western countries, but is higher in high risk populations such as those with type 1 diabetes. It is underestimated because of lack of clinical suspicion and lack of patient awareness. Clinical presentations in term of gastrointestinal, hematologic, skeletal, and liver manifestations are similar between both populations except for a high prevalence of short stature in some ME and NA countries. Few studies have addressed atypical or silent CD. As in the West, diagnosis is initially made by serological tests and is confirmed by small intestinal biopsies. Gluten-free diet is the main mode of treatment with a higher apparent adherence rate than in the West. Most disease complications result from malabsorption. The disease is strongly associated with HLA DQ2 and to a lesser extent with HLA DQ8 alleles. In conclusion, CD prevalence is underestimated, with little data available about its malignant complications. Disease parameters in the ME and NA are otherwise similar to those in Western countries.

Celiac disease with diffuse cutaneous vitamin K-deficiency bleeding

This article describes a 4-y-old girl with spontaneous, generalized bruising, abdominal distention, and signs of malnutrition. She had been treated previously with an antibiotic for diarrhea. Laboratory analyses showed the presence of iron-deficiency anemia, mild hypoalbuminemia, and considerably prolonged prothrombin time and activated thromboplastin time. Tests revealed that hemostasis improved after the patient received fresh frozen plasma. A coagulation profile showed a decrease in clotting factors II, VII, IX, and X. The patient was given intravenous vitamin K therapy (5 mg/d) for 3 d. All coagulation tests were normalized, and bruising started to disappear. Positive serology (immunoglobulin A antitissue transglutaminase and immunoglobulin A antiendomysial antibodies) and smallbowel mucosal histopathology confirmed the presence of celiac disease (CD). The girl recovered completely after she was put on a gluten-free diet. Vitamin K-deficiency bleeding is a rare complication that occurs almost exclusively in patients with typical CD manifestations. In addition to antibiotic therapy, treatment with other drugs that influence vitamin K resorption and metabolism may increase the risk of bleeding in patients with CD with hypoprothrombinemia.