Coeliac Disease Flashcards
How can IgA deficiency alter coeliac screen results?
Anti-TTG and anti-EMA Abs are IgA. Therefore someone with an IgA deficiency will have a negative coeliac test even when they have coeliacs.
Which conditions are associated with coeliac disease?
T1D, thyroid disease, autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis.
Does a gluten-free diet reverse the histological and serological markers of coeliac disease?
Yes
Define coeliac disease
An autoimmune condition where gluten exposure causes inflammation of the small bowel.
Is coeliac disease more common in males or females?
Females
What is the prevalence of coeliac disease in the UK?
1%
Which specific gluten protein are patients intolerant to in coeliac disease?
Gliadin
Why does malabsorption occur in coeliac disease?
Due to inflammation and intestinal atrophy —> reduce absorptive SA.
Which genes are associated with coeliac disease?
HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8.
Th cell activation leads to what?
Pro-inflammatory cytokine release and B cell activation.
Name the auto-Abs associated with coeliac disease
Anti-tissue transglutaminase (anti-TTG) and anti-endomysial (anti-EMA).
Which part of the small bowel is primarily affected in coeliac disease?
Jejunum
What are the 3 classical histological features of coeliac disease?
Villous atrophy, crypt hyperplasia and lymphocyte infiltration.
Why is there a low threshold for testing for coeliac disease?
Because it is often asymptomatic or the symptoms can vary
Describe the clinical features of coeliac disease
FFT (children), diarrhoea, weight loss, abdominal pain, bloating, steatorrhoea, fatigue, mouth ulcers, anaemia, dermatitis herpetiformis, ecchymosis, neurological symptoms (neuropathy, ataxia, epilepsy).
