Celiac disease: case report with an associated arthropathy

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Rheumatology
• Immunology

Background:

• Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder triggered by gluten ingestion, primarily affecting the small intestine.
• Gastrointestinal symptoms like malabsorption are common, but extraintestinal manifestations can occur.
• Arthropathy is a recognized, though less common, extraintestinal feature of celiac disease.

Observation:

• A patient with biopsy-confirmed celiac disease presented with acute arthropathy and malabsorption symptoms.
• The exact cause of the arthropathy was initially unclear.
• Symptoms resolved without specific treatment for the joint condition.

Findings:

• A strong temporal association was observed between the onset of malabsorption and arthropathy.
• The patient experienced no recurrence of gastrointestinal or joint symptoms over a 2-year follow-up period.
• These factors suggest the arthropathy was likely related to celiac disease.

Implications:

• This case highlights a potential, previously unreported association between celiac disease and acute arthropathy.
• It underscores the importance of considering celiac disease in patients presenting with unexplained joint pain and malabsorption.
• Further research into the pathogenetic mechanisms linking celiac disease and arthropathy is warranted.