Cystic Fibrosis and Celiac Disease: Mere Coincidence? - Abstract
Aim: An increased prevalence of celiac disease (CD) in cystic fibrosis (CF) has
been discussed. The aim of this survey was to determine the prevalence of a genetic
predisposition to CD in CF-patients compared to the general population.
Methods: Celiac serology and HLA-DQ2/ -DQ8 screening was performed in 190
CF-patients at the CF-Center Cologne, Germany. Informed consent was obtained from
all patients or caregivers.
Results: 62 (32.6 %) carried HLA-DQ2 and 41 (21.6 %) HLA-DQ8 compared
to 32% HLA-DQ2 and 17 % HLA-DQ8 in the German population. 5 (2.6%) carried
both and 82 (43.2 %) carried neither HLA-DQ2 nor –DQ8. Six CF-patients (3.1%)
showed elevated anti-tTG-IgA and two were diagnosed with CD (1.1 %) (both HLADQ2 positive).
Conclusion: There is a higher prevalence of elevated CD serology in CFpatients (3.1% with elevated anti-tTG-IgA compared to 0.8 % in the general German
population). The frequency of CD in our CF-population is 1.1 %, which is elevated to
the general population. However, the frequency of HLA-DQ2 and –DQ8 is similar to
the general German population. Therefore, CF could be a risk factor for elevated
celiac serology and CD and could contribute to the development of CD.