Increased Risk of Celiac Disease in Patients with Uveitis

PurposeTo examine whether patients with non-infectious uveitis (NIU) are at increased risk for celiac disease (CeD).MethodsCeliac antibody testing was completed in 112 patients. The control group included patients who had undergone upper endoscopy for suspicion of CeD.Results2/112 (1.79%) of patients with NIU had positive anti-tTG serology and CeD was confirmed in both patients. When compared to the expected risk of CeD in the general Israeli population of 0.31%, this corresponded to an odds ratio of 5.77 (95% CI 1.4118 to 23.4737, P = 0.049). Three additional patients had positive serology for CeD but the diagnosis was not confirmed.ConclusionsAn increased risk of CeD was detected in patients with NIU. We therefore recommend screening for CeD in NIU patients. Larger prospective studies are required to further validate these results.

Automated summary

This study aimed to investigate if patients with non-infectious uveitis (NIU) have an increased risk for celiac disease (CeD). Celiac antibody testing was conducted on 112 patients and it was found that 2 (1.79%) of the NIU patients had positive anti-tTG serology and confirmed CeD. Compared to the expected risk of CeD in the general Israeli population of 0.31%, this resulted in an odds ratio of 5.77 (95% CI 1.4118-23.4737, P=0.049). Three additional patients had positive serology for CeD but were not confirmed.