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Autonomic neuropathy and coeliac disease
1Autonomic and Peripheral Nerve Laboratory, Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 1 Deaconess Road, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry
|March 19, 2005
Summary
Coeliac disease can cause neurological issues like dysautonomia, leading to symptoms such as presyncope and nausea. This study highlights the significant presence of coeliac disease in patients experiencing these autonomic symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Gastroenterology
- Autonomic Medicine
Background:
- Coeliac disease is linked to various neurological conditions, including ataxia, myelopathy, myopathy, and neuropathy.
- Dysautonomia, a dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system, is an emerging neurological manifestation of coeliac disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report on four patients with biopsy-proven coeliac disease presenting with subacute dysautonomia.
- To investigate the prevalence of coeliac disease in patients referred for autonomic testing.
Main Methods:
- Case series of four patients with coeliac disease and autonomic symptoms.
- Autonomic evaluation and biopsy-proven coeliac disease diagnosis.
Main Results:
- All four patients exhibited subacute symptoms of presyncope and postural nausea.
- Autonomic evaluation confirmed dysautonomia in all patients.
- Coeliac disease accounted for 2.4% of patients referred for autonomic testing within a year.
Conclusions:
- Coeliac disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with unexplained dysautonomia, particularly presyncope and postural nausea.
- The prevalence of coeliac disease in this cohort is comparable to that seen in idiopathic peripheral neuropathy, underscoring its clinical relevance.