Duration of exposure to gluten and risk for autoimmune disorders in patients with celiac disease. SIGEP Study Group for Autoimmune Disorders in Celiac Disease

Gastroenterology. 1999 Aug;117(2):297-303. doi: 10.1053/gast.1999.0029900297.

Abstract

Background & aims: The relationship between celiac disease and many autoimmune disorders has been explained by the sharing of a common genetic factor. In a multicenter national study, we examined the relationship between the prevalence of autoimmune disorders in celiac disease and the duration of exposure to gluten.

Methods: Over a 6-month period, 909 patients with celiac disease (group A; mean age, 16.1 +/- 3.8 years; grouped according to age at diagnosis into three subgroups [group A1, <2 years; group A2, 2-10 years; and group A3, >10 years]), 1268 healthy controls (group B; mean age, 20.8 +/- 4.5 years), and 163 patients with Crohn's disease (group C; mean age, 28.8 +/- 10 years) were evaluated for the presence of autoimmune disorders.

Results: Prevalence of autoimmune disorders in group A was significantly higher than in group B (14% vs. 2.8%; P < 0.000001) but not higher than in group C (12.9%). Prevalence of autoimmune disorders in celiac disease increased with increasing age at diagnosis: 5.1% in group A1, 17% in group A2, and 23.6% in group A3 (P = 0.000001). In group A3, the prevalence of autoimmune disorders was significantly higher than in group C. In a logistic regression model, age at diagnosis was the only significant predictor variable of the odds of developing an autoimmune disorder (r = 0.3; P < 0.000001).

Conclusions: Our data show for the first time that the prevalence of autoimmune disorders in celiac disease is related to the duration of exposure to gluten.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Autoimmune Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Child
  • Female
  • Glutens / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prevalence
  • Regression Analysis
  • Risk
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Glutens