Oligoarthritis--a presenting feature of occult coeliac disease

Seven cases of arthritis related to coeliac disease have been described in the English literature, all with features of malabsorption. We describe a patient with an acute inflammatory oligoarthritis and little evidence of intestinal malabsorption who was subsequently found to have asymptomatic coeliac disease on intestinal biopsy. His arthritis responded to gluten free diet and is now in remission. A greater awareness of the association between coeliac disease and arthritis is needed, especially because both these conditions are potentially curable.