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Prevalence of celiac disease in patients with juvenile chronic arthritis
L Lepore1, S Martelossi, M Pennesi
1The Clinica Pediatrica and the Laboratorio di Immunologia, Istituto perl'Iinfanzia di Trieste, Italy.
Insights
The prevalence of celiac disease is higher in children with juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA). Screening with antiendomysium antibodies identified potential cases for further investigation via intestinal biopsy.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Rheumatology
- Gastroenterology
- Immunology
Background:
- Juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA) is an autoimmune condition affecting children.
- Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder triggered by gluten ingestion.
- The co-occurrence of JCA and celiac disease warrants investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of celiac disease in children diagnosed with JCA.
- To assess the utility of antiendomysium antibodies as a screening tool for celiac disease in this population.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 119 children with JCA was screened for antiendomysium antibodies.
- Patients positive for antibodies underwent intestinal biopsy to confirm celiac disease.
- Villous atrophy on biopsy was the diagnostic criterion for celiac disease.
Main Results:
- Four out of 119 children with JCA tested positive for antiendomysium antibodies.
- Three of these patients (2.5%) were diagnosed with celiac disease based on biopsy findings.
- One patient had normal intestinal mucosa despite positive antibody screening.
Conclusions:
- The prevalence of celiac disease is elevated in children with JCA.
- Antiendomysium antibody screening is a valuable tool for identifying potential celiac disease in JCA patients.
- Further research may elucidate the underlying mechanisms linking JCA and celiac disease.
Abstract:
We estimated the prevalence of celiac disease in children with juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA), using antiendomysium antibodies as the screening test to select patients for intestinal biopsy. We studied 119 children with JCA and found four patients with antiendomysium antibodies. In three of these patients (2.5%), intestinal biopsy revealed villous atrophy; in the fourth the intestinal mucosa was normal. We conclude that the prevalence of celiac disease is increased in patients with JCA.