The prevalence of celiac disease in patients with irritable bowel syndrome and its subtypes.

INTRODUCTION

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and celiac disease (CD) share some gastrointestinal symptoms. Celiac disease should be considered in a differential diagnosis of IBS.

AIM

To estimate the prevalence of predispositions to CD in patients with IBS and its subtypes.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included 48 patients (40 women, 8 men; average age: 41.1 ±14.6 years) with IBS, and a control group: 20 healthy volunteers. All participants completed a questionnaire on their current gastrointestinal symptoms and had a blood sample taken to determine the HLA-DQ2/DQ8 antigens and serum concentration of anti-tTG IgA and anti-DGP IgA and IgG.

RESULTS

The presence of HLA-DQ2 or DQ8 was found in 50% of patients ( = 24) with IBS. In the control group the presence of HLA-DQ2 was found in 4 (20%) patients and nobody had HLA-DQ8. Increased levels of anti-tTG IgA were found in 5 (10.42%) patients with IBS, anti-DGP in 4 (8.33%), and anti-DGP IgG in 3 (6.25%). In the control group positive test result for anti-tTG was found in 2 (10%) patients; nobody had elevated anti-DGP IgA or IgG. A concomitant positive result of genetic testing and any elevated serum antibodies specific to CD was found in 12.5% of IBS patients ( = 6) and in none of the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with IBS, regardless of the subtype, significantly more often than healthy controls have the predisposing genetic factors (HLA-DQ2/DQ8) underlying the development of CD.