Positivity of celiac disease-specific antibodies and non-celiac hypersensitivity in psoriasis

Plaque psoriasis and celiac disease are multisystemic diseases. The association of psoriasis and enteropathy with histological changes similar to celiac disease has already been described, and it has also been found that a gluten-free diet improves psoriatic changes. This study assesses the relationship between celiac disease antibodies and psoriasis.

The study included 112 participants: 60 with psoriasis in a test group and 52 healthy subjects in a control group. Within the psoriasis group, participants were further divided into two subgroups: one consisting of patients with both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (n = 17) and another comprising patients with psoriasis alone (n = 43). After informed consent was obtained, the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) score and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score were evaluated. Laboratory tests included assessment of anti-deaminated gliadin peptide antibodies (DGP), anti-gliadin antibodies (AGA), and anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies (tTG).

Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin A (IgA) DGP antibodies were detected more frequently and at higher serum concentrations in patients with psoriasis compared to healthy controls (p = 0.03, p = 0.04, respectively). Similarly, elevated levels of IgG-tTG antibodies (p = 0.003) and IgA-DGP antibodies (p = 0.02) were observed in the same test group.

A relationship between positivity to celiac disease antibodies and psoriasis, particularly with regard to AGA, has been identified. Further studies are required to elucidate the nature, pathophysiology, and significance of these findings.