Celiac disease is overrepresented in patients with constipation
Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 23, 2026

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation via Colonoscopy for Recurrent C. difficile Infection
Published on: December 8, 2014
Rolf A A Pelleboer1, Rob L H Janssen, Judith M Deckers-Kocken
1Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, the Netherlands. rolf.pelleboer@cze.nl
Objective:
It is suggested that patients with constipation should be screened for celiac disease. Similarly, it is recommended to investigate these patients for hypothyroidism and hypercalcemia. However, no evidence for these recommendations is available so far. We therefore set out to determine the prevalence of celiac disease, hypothyroidism, and hypercalcemia in children with constipation.
Methods:
Prospective cohort study of 370 consecutive patients who met the Rome III criteria for constipation. These patients were referred by a general practitioner to a pediatrician because of failure of laxative treatment.
Results:
Seven of these patients had biopsy-proven celiac disease. This is significantly higher (p < 0.001) than the 1:198 prevalence of celiac disease in the Netherlands. Two patients had auto-immune thyroiditis. No patient had hypercalcemia.
Conclusions:
We conclude that celiac disease is significantly overrepresented in patients with constipation who are referred by a general practitioner to a pediatrician because of failure of laxative treatment. All such patients should, therefore, be screened for celiac disease.
Related Concept Videos
Drugs for Treatment of Constipation-Predominant IBS
Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations
Assessment of the Rectum and Anus
Rectal Inspection
Begin by inspecting the perianal and anal areas for color, texture, rashes,...
Diverticular Disease of the Colon
Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Introduction
