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Narrative review: celiac disease: understanding a complex autoimmune disorder
Armin Alaedini1, Peter H R Green
1Department of Neurology and Neuroscience, Cornell University, New York, New York 10021, USA. ara2004@med.cornell.edu
Annals of Internal Medicine
|February 16, 2005
Summary
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder triggered by gluten, causing intestinal damage. Early detection via antibody tests and a gluten-free diet are key for managing this common condition and its associated health risks.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology and Immunology
- Autoimmune Disorders
- Dietary Science
Background:
- Celiac disease is a prevalent autoimmune disorder with genetic, environmental, and immunologic factors.
- It involves an immune reaction to gluten proteins in wheat, rye, and barley, leading to intestinal inflammation and damage.
- Genetic links include human leukocyte antigens DQ2 and DQ8, with transglutaminase 2 playing a role as an enzyme and autoantigen.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the understanding of celiac disease, including its pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management.
- To highlight the role of serologic tests in screening and estimating disease prevalence.
- To discuss the extraintestinal manifestations and treatment of celiac disease.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on celiac disease.
- Analysis of diagnostic approaches, focusing on serologic tests like anti-transglutaminase antibody detection.
- Examination of the association between celiac disease and other health conditions.
Main Results:
- Sensitive and specific serologic tests facilitate noninvasive screening for celiac disease.
- Accurate diagnosis aids in estimating disease prevalence and its links to other disorders.
- Celiac disease is associated with increased risks of anemia, osteoporosis, cancer, neurological issues, and other autoimmune conditions.
Conclusions:
- A gluten-free diet is the primary treatment for celiac disease.
- Ongoing research is needed to understand the full impact of a gluten-free diet on extraintestinal manifestations.
- Improved diagnostic tools are enhancing the identification and management of celiac disease.
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