fbpx

Science

Study Title
How Frequent is Celiac Disease among Epileptic Patients?
Publication
Journal of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases
Author(s)

Mohammad Hasan Emami, Hajar Taheri, Soheila Kohestani, Ahmad Chitsaz, Masud Etemadifar, Somayeh Karimi, Mohammad Amin Eshaghi, Marzieh Hashemi

Abstract

Background: A variety of neurological disorders have been reported in association with celiac disease (CD) including epilepsy, ataxia, neuropathy and multifocal leucoencephalopathy. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of CD among epileptic patients.
Methods: Our study population consisted of 108 consecutive unexplained epileptic patients from Epilepsy Clinics. Patients who were able to give informed consent were invited to undergo screening for CD in a gastroenterology clinic. The diagnosis of CD was determined by IgA anti-tissue transglutaminase (t-TG) antibodies and by small intestine biopsy. Histopathologic changes were interpreted according to the Marsh classification.
Results: A total of 108 consecutive epileptic patients (72 females, 36 males) ranging from 2-64 years (mean: 23.44, SD: 12.1) were studied. Positive IgA anti t-TG were detected in 4 of 108 epileptic patients (3.7%), while the known prevalence of CD in the study area was 0.6%.The intestinal biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of CD in three patients and was interpreted as Marsh I. In the other patient, small intestinal biopsy indicated only slightly increased number of intraepithelial lymphocytes. There was a significant difference between patients with CD and without CD for two symptoms: diarrhea and aphtous lesions.

Date
June 9, 2008
View study

Share This

Related Topics

EpilepsyCeliac DiseaseDisease

Dr. Perlmutter is one of the leading lights in medicine today, illuminating the path for solving chronic illness

Mark Hyman, MD