Coeliac Disease Flashcards
What is Coeliac disease?
Autoimmune condition causing damage to the small bowel due to the ingestion of gluten-containing foods
What part of the small bowel is commonly affected in Coeliac?
Jejunum
Classical presentation of Coeliac? (4)
Mainly asymptomatic. But can present with:
- abdominal pain
- bloating/distension
- diarrhoea
- flatuence
- malabsorption symptoms (weight loss, fatigue, anaemia, bruising, neuropathy, failure to thrive in babies)
Malabsorptive symptoms seen in Coeliac? (7)
- weight loss
- anaemia
- bruising
- neuropathy
- failure to thrive
- fatigue
- wasting
Classical skin condition seen in Coeliac? Where is it commonly seen on the body?
Dermatitis Herpatiformis - itchy blistering skin rash commonly found on the abdomen
Clinical signs of Coeliac? (5)
- anaemia: angular stomatitis
- mouth uclers
- Dermatitis Herpatiformis
- muscle wasting
- ecchymosis (bruising)
Diagnosis of Coeliac? (3)
- Coeliac serology - Total IgA and Anti-TTG (or anti-EMA)
- Endoscopy and biopsy (confirmation)
- Genetic testing (HLA-DQ2 and DQ8)
Genes typically found in patients with Coeliac?
HLA-DQ2 (most common) and -DQ8
Management of Coeliac disease?
Lifelong Gluten-free diet
Management of refractory Coeliac disease?
Steroids or Immunomodulators
Complications of Coeliac
- anaemia (malabsorption)
- osteoporosis (low Ca2+ and vit d)
- neuropathy (low Ca2+ and vit b12)
- Dermatitis Herpatiformis
- Enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma (EATL)
Types of refractory coeliac?
Type 1 - normal lymphocytes
Type 2 - abnormal lymphocytes
Which type of refractory coeliac is more concerning? Why?
Type 2. The abnormal lymphocytes are more likely to turn into lymphoma (EATL)
Condition often linked to Coeliac?
Type 1 diabetes
Recurrent infection of which organism increases the risk of Coeliac?
Rotavirus
