Celiac Disease and Cardiovascular Risk: A Retrospective Case-Control Study

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Gastroenterology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• The link between celiac disease (CD) and premature atherosclerosis, including carotid artery intima-media thickness and cardiovascular disease (CVD), remains debated.
• Previous studies have yielded controversial findings regarding the association between CD and CVD risk.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between celiac disease and the risk of cardiovascular disease.
• To determine if a gluten-free diet (GFD) influences cardiovascular outcomes in patients with CD.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of clinical records from 8495 patients in Northern Sardinia.
• Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) for CVD, adjusting for established risk factors and H. pylori infection.

Main Results:

• Celiac disease was diagnosed in 632 patients, and cardiovascular disease in 2504.
• Patients with CD exhibited a significantly reduced risk of CVD (OR 0.30, 95% CI 0.22-0.41).
• Longer duration of GFD correlated with lower CVD risk; CD also decreased carotid plaque frequency (11.8% vs. 40.1%, p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

• Celiac disease is associated with a reduced risk of general CVD and specifically carotid lesions, even after adjusting for confounders.
• Adherence to a gluten-free diet for an extended period further mitigates cardiovascular risk in individuals with celiac disease.