Coeliac disease presenting with chorea.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Gastroenterology
• Immunology

Background:

• Chorea is a neurological movement disorder with diverse etiologies, including genetic and acquired causes.
• Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disorder triggered by gluten, typically presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms.
• Neurological manifestations of coeliac disease are uncommon and often overlooked, especially in the absence of overt GI symptoms.

Observation:

• A patient presented with rapidly progressive, generalized chorea.
• The patient lacked typical gastrointestinal symptoms associated with coeliac disease.
• Diagnostic workup revealed coeliac disease as the underlying cause.

Findings:

• Coeliac disease can manifest as chorea without gastrointestinal symptoms.
• A gluten-free diet led to the complete resolution of chorea in this patient.
• This case highlights the importance of considering coeliac disease in unexplained chorea.

Implications:

• Early diagnosis of coeliac disease is crucial for managing neurological complications like chorea.
• A gluten-free diet is an effective treatment for chorea secondary to coeliac disease.
• This case broadens the understanding of coeliac disease's neurological impact.