[Celiac disease in close family members].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the presence of celiac disease (CD) in close family members of celiac patients, and the possible clinical differences between family members diagnosed and their respective index cases.


METHODS
Descriptive, observational study based on a series of cases.


METHODS
Health centre and hospital.


METHODS
Family members of celiac patients registered with the Association of Celiacs of Andalusia, based in Sevilla.


METHODS
Patients and family members were interviewed and 2 questionnaires were filled in. The first, aimed at celiacs, recorded details of their disease and the second recorded personal details, current illnesses, personal history and the family members of all participants. IgA endomysium antibodies were determined only in family members.


RESULTS
56 of 215 families recorded took part, with 239 participants. Of the 56 patients, 1 per family, presentation at the moment of diagnosis was malabsorption syndrome. Of 165 family members studied, 11 cases with positive IgA endomysium antibodies were found and 5 actually with CD. One of these was asymptomatic, three presented with atypical forms of CD and another was diagnosed with herpetiform dermatitis.


CONCLUSIONS
That CD was most commonly found among close family members, along with its asymptomatic or atypical clinical presentation, justifies the active search for cases. Primary care doctors should question family members as to whether they have been tested for the disease. If not, adults should be checked for the antibodies referred to and children should be referred to their paediatricians for this purpose.
Vergara Hernández
J
J
Médico de Familia, Centro de Salud Polígono Norte, Sevilla, España. juanvergarah@hotmail.com
Núñez Gómez de Tejada
M
M
Jiménez Castillo
R M
RM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged