[Inflammatory bowel disease in celiac patients].
BACKGROUND
A potential association between celic disease and inflammatory bowel disease hs been suggested, which may explain the fact that both disorders occasionally present in one patient or in his/her first-degree relatives more frequently than expected.


OBJECTIVE
To establish the prevalence of Crohn s disease and ulcerative colitis in celiac patients and their relatives.


METHODS
A cross-sectional, prospective epidemiological study in a group of celiac patients, their first-degree relatives, and a control group with similar epidemiological characteristics including the relatives of patients presenting at the ER for acute conditions. A semistructured interview was used to identify the presence of Crohn s disease and ulcerative colitis in celiac patients and their relatives.


RESULTS
In all, 86 celiac patients and 432 relatives were included, who were compared to 809 control subjects (129 patients with acute conditions and 680 first-degree relatives). Three cases of Crohn s disease were identified among celiac patients, and 4 cases among their relatives. Only 1 case of Crohn s disease was detected in the control group (p < 0.01). No cases of ulcerative colitis were detected in any of the study groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with celiac disease and their relatives have a greater predisposition to Crohn s disease versus the control population.
Masachs
M
M
Unitat d'Atenció Crohn-Colitis, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain.
Casellas
F
F
Malagelada
J R
JR
D000328:Adult; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000150:complications*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies