Researchers study the possible relationship between myopathies and coeliac diseaseFebruary 23, 2007Inflammatory myopathies are immunological diseases that lead to inflammations in muscular tissue. As of yet, little is known about the cause of these myopathies, but it is believed to be an abnormal immune response by our bodies. Since coeliac disease has occasionally been reported in patients with inflammatory myopathies, UAB researchers are investigating the relationship between myopathy and intolerance to gluten. Inflammatory myopathies are inflammatory infiltrates in the muscle. This group of diseases includes polymyositis, dermatomyositis, and inclusion-body myositis. Little is known about the cause and the etiopathogenic mechanisms of these myopathies, but it is believed to be an abnormal immune response by our bodies, which identify body parts as alien. In this particular case, the body parts are the skin and the muscle, though other parts, such as the lungs and the myocardium, may also be affected. The research team observed that it is not a rare occurrence for various autoimmune diseases to exist in the same patient. Indeed, coeliac disease — caused by a reaction to gluten found in cereals — has been reported in patients with inflammatory myopathy, especially those with inclusion-body myositis. Researchers at the Teaching Unit at the UAB's Vall d'Hebron Hospital have investigated these links by looking at coeliac patients whose cases suggest a similar immunopathogenic mechanism in coeliac disease and certain myopathies, as well as a common genetic substrate. The scientists are considering the possibility that, at least in part, some inflammatory myopathies are a clinical expression of intolerance to gluten, though they point out the need for more studies to be carried out to confirm or support these findings. The results are particularly important in the case of inclusion-body myositis — for which there is no effective treatment — since we can now suggest that a gluten-free diet may improve the situation of a patient. This hypothesis must now be tested using immunosuppressants, as has been done with other extraintestinal manifestations of reactions to gluten. Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona |
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| Related Coeliac Disease Current Events and Coeliac Disease News Articles Blood counts are clues to human disease A new genome-wide association study published today in Nature Genetics begins to uncover the basis of genetic variations in eight blood measurements and the impact those variants can have on common human diseases. New link found between osteoporosis and coeliac disease People with coeliac disease may develop osteoporosis because their immune system attacks their bone tissue, a new study has shown. Are vitamin supplements effective in celiac disease patients? Coeliac disease is a typical example of a malabsorption syndrome conferring increased risk for various deficiency states, including folate and vitamin B12. Hyperhomocysteinemia is significantly more frequent in patients with newly diagnosed coeliac disease than healthy controls. Discovery of new family of genetic mutations involved in inflammatory intestinal disease The discovery of new genetic mutations involved in inflammatory intestinal disorders could lead to a better understanding of these common conditions. Scientists uncover further steps leading to celiac disease Scientists who last year identified a new genetic risk factor for coeliac disease, have, following continued research, discovered an additional seven gene regions implicated in causing the condition. Identification of genetic risk factor for coeliac disease promises improved treatment An international research consortium investigating the genetic causes of intestinal inflammatory conditions has identified a new genetic risk factor for coeliac disease. Inflammatory bowel disease is a risk factor for thrombosis People with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are more than three times as likely to develop blood clots in their veins (venous thromboembolism), finds new research in Gut. Thromboembolism is a serious and potentially life threatening event. For many years, patients with IBD were thought to be at increased risk, but the evidence has been inconsistent. Furthermore, it is not known if this risk is specific for IBD or if it is shared by other chronic inflammatory diseases or bowel disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis or coeliac disease. Researchers surveyed 618 patients with IBD, 243 with rheumatoid arthritis, 207 with coeliac disease. All three patient groups were compared with matched contr Coeliac disease may predict schizophrenia A history of coeliac disease (gluten intolerance) is a risk factor for developing schizophrenia, finds a study in this week's BMJ. Previous studies have suggested an association between these two disorders. Researchers identified 7,997 people older than 15 who were admitted to any Danish psychiatric unit for the first time between 1981 and 1998 with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. For each case, they randomly selected 25 controls, matched by year of birth and sex, and identified any history of coeliac disease, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn's disease in cases, controls, and their parents. They found a moderately strong risk relation between coeliac disease and schizophrenia. However, the authors Coeliac disease - the tip of the iceberg The full extent of a hidden condition which goes largely undetected among British children - and unnoticed until adulthood - has been identified by doctors in Bristol. Their research suggests that until now the scale of coeliac disease among UK children has been under-estimated. Currently, fewer than one in 2,500 children is treated for the disease, but the study of children in Bristol has shown that it probably affects one child in 100, although most have no overt symptoms. Significantly, the figures appear to indicate that coeliac disease, an intolerance to gluten, is triggered in childhood, although the symptoms might not appear until years later. The extent of the condition is revealed Summer babies at greater risk of developing coeliac disease The risk of developing coeliac disease is higher for children born in the summer compared with the winter, finds a study in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health. More Coeliac Disease Current Events and Coeliac Disease News Articles |
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