Multiple Sclerosis Patients Present With High Incidence of Celiac Disease

In a recent study, researchers analyzed the prevalence of celiac disease in Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and their first-degree relatives.

Celiac disease (CD) is a common systemic disorder related to gluten intolerance and is often associated with different autoimmune and neurological diseases.

The study’s lead author Dr. Luis Rodrigo of University Hospital, Central Asturias, Spain and colleagues analyzed the prevalence of serological, genetic, and histological disease markers in 72 multiple sclerosis patients and 126 of their first-degree relatives. Then the results were compared with data from 123 healthy control subjects.

Multiple Sclerosis – Treatment to Reduce Symptoms and Modify course of Disease
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The results depicted seven MS patients (10%) with positive screens for tissue IgA-anti-transglutaminase-2 antibodies, compared with three positive screens for healthy controls (2.4%).

The team realized there is little difference in HLA-DQ2 markers between MS patients (29%) and controls (26%) (NS). They found eight MS patients (11.1%) with mild or moderate villous atrophy (Marsh III type) in duodenal biopsies. Results also exhibited celiac disease in 26 of 126 first-degree relatives (32%).

Multiple Sclerosis patients displayed increased frequency of circulating auto-antibodies such as anti-TPO in 19 (26%), ANA in 11 (15%) and AMA in 2 (3%).

Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is labeled as a digestive disorder associated with malabsorption as well as an abnormal immune reaction to gluten.

Dr. Rodrigo commented, "We have found a prevalence of celiac disease among MS patients that is 5 to 10 times higher compared with the general population all over the world, which is between 1% and 2%."

He concluded by saying, “The increased prevalence of celiac disease in MS patients and in their first-degree relatives suggests that early detection and dietary treatment of celiac disease in antibody-positive MS patients is advisable”.

Reference:

http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2377/11/31

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Source-Medindia