1. A.M. Report 5/5/09 Jason Haag, M.D.
Celiac Disease
A.M. Report
5/5/09
Jason Haag, M.D.

2. Celiac Disease What is it? Small bowel disorder characterized by
Mucosal inflammation
Villous atrophy
Crypt hyperplasia
That occur with exposure to gluten and improve with its withdrawal

3. Associated Condition’s
Dermatitis herpetiformis
Down’s Syndrome
IgA Deficiency
DM type I
Thyroid disease
Autoimmune hepatitis

4. Whom to test? Chronic GI Sx Nutritional disorders
Diarrhea, malabsorption, weight loss, abdominal distention
Nutritional disorders
Elevated liver enzymes, delayed puberty, Fe-def anemia, recurrent fetal loss, infertility, ? Osteoporosis (2/2 Vit D def)

5. Whom to test? High Risk Pt Asymptomatic individuals
DM type I, autoimmune d/o, 1st/2nd degree related w/ Celiac dx
Asymptomatic individuals
No benefit to screening

6. How to test? First – make sure Pt is on a gluten-containing diet
If already on gluten free diet then test after 2-4 weeks of resuming gluten-containing diet
Low probability
Serological testing
IgA anti tissue transglutaminase (sens 90%, spec 95%)
IgA endomysial antibody (sens 90%, spec 97%)
Antigliadin antibody no longer in routine use (sens 80%, spec 85%)
2nd generation test in development

7. How to test? High probability Serological testing as before
Small bowel biopsy
Duodenal mucosa appears atrophic with loss of folds, contian visible fissures, and may have nodular appearance

8. How to test? If patient has clinical features, but negative serology
Consider IgA deficiency
Can test for IgG EMA or tTG
Perform small bowel biopsy
Test for HLA type
99% of patients with celiac have DQ2 and DQ8 types compared to 40% of general population
Consider other diagnosis

9. Treatment Gluten-free diet “Safe” foods Careful with lactose foods
High sources of gluten
Wheat, rye, barley, oats
“Safe” foods
Soybeans, rice, corn, potatoes
Careful with lactose foods
May worsen symptoms as many with celiac disease have lactose intolerance

10. Prevention Osteoporosis Hyposplenism Vitamin Def DEXA scan Pneumovax
Iron, folate, calcium vitamin D, B12

11. Monitoring Response Can follow serial IgA tTG
Check approx 6 months to 1 year after initiation of gluten free diet
Only works if antibody level elevated prior to therapy
Debate over repeat small bowel biopsy
If preformed usually at 3 months after gluten free diet
If no improvement with glute-free diet can consider a gluten challenge and follow symptoms

12. Take Home Points
Test with IgA anti tissue transglutaminase, IgA endomysial antibody
Association with Dermatitis herpetiformis and IgA deficiency
Always test on gluten laden diet

13. References
Rostom, A, et al. Celiac Disease. Summary, evidence report. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD 2004
Kelly, CP et al. Diagnosis and treatment of gluten-sensitive enteropathy. Adv Intern Med 1990; 35: 341.
Green, PH, Cellier, C. Celiac Disease. NEJM 2007; 357:1731
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