Celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease Flashcards
What is Coeliac Disease?
Coeliac Disease is an immune-mediated small intestinal enteropathy triggered by exposure to dietary gluten in genetically predisposed individuals, leading to malabsorption.
What is gluten?
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. Oats can be contaminated.
Does Coeliac disease affect more men or women?
Coeliac disease affects more women than men.
At what age can Coeliac disease occur?
Coeliac disease can occur at any age.
What are some conditions associated with a high prevalence of Coeliac disease?
Coeliac disease is associated with Down’s syndrome, Type I diabetes mellitus, auto-immune hepatitis, and thyroid gland abnormalities.
What is the genetic association with Coeliac disease?
Coeliac disease is associated with two genes in particular: the Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) DQ2 and DQ8 genes.
What are some common symptoms of Coeliac disease?
Coeliac disease presents with symptoms such as diarrhoea, steatorrhea (fatty floating stools), weight loss, anaemia, vague abdominal pains, glossitis, mouth ulcers, and a rash called dermatitis herpetiformis.
Can Coeliac disease be asymptomatic?
Yes, Coeliac disease is increasingly found in asymptomatic individuals, accounting for up to one-third of cases.
What are the endoscopic findings in Coeliac Disease?
In Coeliac Disease, the endoscopic findings may include decreased folds, villous atrophy, and scalloping of folds in the small bowel.
What are the endoscopic findings in a normal small bowel?
In a normal small bowel, the endoscopic findings show normal duodenal villi.
What is Dermatitis Herpetiformis?
Dermatitis Herpetiformis is an itchy, vesicular rash that appears on the extensor surfaces of the body.
What are some other clinical features associated with Coeliac Disease?
Other clinical features of Coeliac Disease include angular stomatitis (associated with iron or vitamin B12 deficiency), glossitis (associated with iron deficiency), and pallor (associated with anaemia).
What is the pathogenesis of Coeliac Disease?
The pathogenesis of Coeliac Disease involves the complexing of gliadin, a gluten by-product, with tissue transglutaminase (tTG) in the gut. This complex binds as an antigen (deaminated gliadin) to HLA-DQ2 on T cells, triggering an immune response that results in the production of anti-tTG IgA, anti-endomysial, and antigliadin antibodies in the blood, as well as inflammation through NK cells.
How does the pathogenesis of Coeliac Disease relate to dermatitis herpetiformis?
Tissue transglutaminase (tTG) cross-reacts with epidermal TG (eTG), leading to the development of dermatitis herpetiformis.
What are the normal appearances of small bowel villi?
The normal appearances of small bowel villi include finger-like projections called villi, which are responsible for absorbing nutrients from the bowel lumen.
What are the histopathological findings in Coeliac Disease?
The histopathological findings in Coeliac Disease include flattening of villi, the presence of chronic inflammatory cells such as intraepithelial lymphocytes and NK cells, and crypt hyperplasia.
How is Coeliac Disease diagnosed?
Coeliac Disease can be diagnosed through serology and endoscopy with biopsy.
What serological tests are used for diagnosing Coeliac Disease?
The serological tests used for diagnosing Coeliac Disease include anti-endomysial antibodies, IgA anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies (or IgG anti-tTG in patients with IgA deficiency), and anti-gliadin antibodies.
What percentage of patients with Coeliac Disease have negative serology?
Approximately 6-22% of patients with Coeliac Disease have negative serology.
What are the histological findings seen in the small bowel during endoscopy for Coeliac Disease diagnosis?
The histology of the small bowel in Coeliac Disease shows raised intraepithelial lymphocytes, crypt hyperplasia, and villous atrophy according to the Marsh Criteria.
What is the main treatment for Coeliac Disease?
The main treatment for Coeliac Disease is a Gluten-Free Diet, which includes avoiding gluten-containing foods such as wheat, barley, and rye. Oats are generally considered safe for most individuals with Coeliac Disease.
What vaccination is recommended for individuals with Coeliac Disease?
Vaccination against pneumococcus is recommended for individuals with Coeliac Disease.
How should osteoporosis be managed in patients with Coeliac Disease?
Osteoporosis screening and prevention measures should be implemented in patients with Coeliac Disease. This may include calcium supplementation with a recommended intake of 1 gram of calcium per day.
What supplements may be necessary for individuals with Coeliac Disease?
Iron, vitamin B12, and folate supplementation may be necessary for individuals with Coeliac Disease to address any deficiencies that may arise due to malabsorption.
What other autoimmune diseases should be monitored in individuals with Coeliac Disease?
Individuals with Coeliac Disease should be monitored for the development of other autoimmune diseases such as autoimmune thyroiditis (such as Graves disease) and autoimmune hepatitis.
How frequently should blood monitoring be conducted for individuals with Coeliac Disease?
Annual blood monitoring is recommended for individuals with Coeliac Disease to assess their nutritional status, detect any deficiencies or complications, and monitor overall health.
What is Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)?
Inflammatory Bowel Disease is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the bowel.