[Genetic and epigenetic aspects of celiac disease]

Genetic background of coeliac disease has been subjects to intensive research since decades. However, only results of HLA phenotyping have been taken over to routine clinical practice. Meanwhile, data on the role of epigenetical factors in the manifestation of diseases have been emerging. In coeliac disease, there are several questions both in the fields of genetics and epigenetics yet to be answered. In this review, a cross section of current knowledge on these issues is presented with special interest regarding the future clinical applications.

Coeliac disease in a 15-year period of observation (1997 and 2011) in a Hungarian referral centre

AIMS

The aim of this study is to evaluate the experience of a single coeliac centre over a 15-year-long study period (between November of 1997 and September of 2011).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Charts of 178 patients (139 females) with coeliac disease were retrospectively evaluated. Tests performed: multiple duodenal biopsies, anti-tissue transglutaminase and anti-endomysium antibodies, body mass index calculation, osteodensitometry, evaluation of disorders associated with coeliac disease, and implementation of family screening.

RESULTS

Histological samples were available in 133 cases, distribution according to Marsh-Oberhuber classification: M0 in 7%, M1-M2 in 4%, M3a in 26%, M3b in 13%, and M3c in 50% of cases, respectively. Anti-tissue transglutaminase and anti-endomysium antibody tests were available in 158 cases, 132/158 showed seropositivity. Mean body mass index values were 23.05kg/m(2) for males, and 21.07kg/m(2) for females, respectively. Osteodensitometry showed normal values in 46%, osteopenia in 36%, and osteoporosis in 18% of cases, respectively. Coeliac disease associated disorders was present in 63/178 (35%) patients. Ninety coeliacs brought 197 first degree relatives for screening, with 47/197 (23%) relatives proving to have coeliac disease. Correlations between anti-tissue transglutaminase antibody titres and Marsh-Oberhuber classification, and anti-tissue transglutaminase antibody titres and bone mineral density values were found to be statistically significant (p=0.0011, and p=0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Coeliac disease can become overt at any age. Female predominance is significant. Histology usually showed advanced villous atrophy. Mean body mass index values were within normal range. The high prevalence of associated disorders is also noted. The prevalence of 24% of coeliac disease among first degree relatives underlines the necessity of family screening.

[Retrospective evaluation of the ten-year experience of a single coeliac centre]

Coeliac disease (gluten-sensitive enteropathy, sprue) is a chrocic disorder of the small bowel leading to malabsorption.

AIMS

charts of all patients with coeliac disease treated at the 2nd Department of Medicine, Semmelweis University were evaluated.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The authors retrospectively analysed the results of a total of 132 patients with coeliac disease (107 females and 25 males; mean age, 37 years; median, 35 years; range, 19-78 years) attending the centre between 1999 and 2010. The authors routinely performed the following investigations in patients with suspected coeliac disease: multiple biopsies taken from the duodenum, tissue transglutaminase antibody or endomysial antibody based serology, body mass index calculation, osteodensitometry, evaluation of disorders associated with coeliac disease, family history for coeliac disease, and implementation of family-screening for coeliac disease given the agreement of the index patients.

RESULTS

Histological samples were available in 101 cases, and distributions of data according to the Marsh-classification were as follows: negative in 9%, M3a in 27%, M3b in 18%, and M3c in 46% of cases, respectively. Serological results were available in 117 cases. 93/117 (79%) showed seropositivity. Body mass index was calculated for 95 patients, and the mean value for males was 22.4 kg/m² (range, 17-30.3 kg/m²), whereas the mean value for females was 20.7 kg/m² (range, 15.2-30.4 kg/m²). Osteodensitometry was performed in 90 patients; 45 patients (50%) proved normal, 31 (34%) had osteopenia, and 15 (26%) had osteoporosis. Coeliac disease associated disorders were present in 45/132 patients (34%; 6 males). Associated disorders were as follows: 15 dermatitis herpetiformis Duhring, 15 thyroid diseases (5 hypo- and 10 hyperthyroidism), 6 Crohn's disease, 3 selective IgA-deficiency, 2 endometrioses, 1 systemic lupus erythematosus, 1 myasthenia gravis, and 1 type-1 diabetes mellitus. Sixty-four of the 132 index patients brought 133 first-degree relatives for family screening (serology), where 26/133 (19.5%; 17 females) first-degree relatives proved to suffer from coeliac disease.

CONCLUSIONS

The age distribution of this cohort demonstrates that coeliac disease can present at any age. Similarly to those of other coeliac disease centres, female predominance is significant. Histology usually showed advanced villous atrophy. Serological results were usually in conjunction with the histological results and proved to be useful for monitoring dietary compliance and for accomplishing family screening. The mean body mass index values were in the normal range confirming that adult patients with coeliac disease are usually not malnourished. The 20% prevalence of coeliac disease among first-degree relatives underlines the necessity of family screening.