Celiac disease: extraintestinal manifestations, associated diseases, and complications

The aim of this chapter is to increase the familiarity of physicians with conditions or complications associated with CD, a disease that is more common than had been thought in the past. The differentiation between atypical manifestations, associated disease, and complications of CD is not always clear. With careful adherence to the necessary dietary restrictions, patients with CD can remain relatively free of troublesome symptoms, their long-term prognosis is excellent, and most complications can be prevented. (24) Indeed, 5-year survival rates of patients with CD did not differ from those in the general population. (6) This review emphasizes the importance of a screening policy for silent CD, justified on the basis of later developing complications such as malignancy, development of low bone mineral density, risk of neurologic abnormalities, and associated diseases, which may be preventable by GFD.