Celiac disease presentation and symptoms

Typical or classic symptoms of celiac disease include altered bowel habits, weight loss, fatigue, abdominal pain and bloating, nausea and growth failure (in children). However, a range of additional symptoms or medical complications may also indicate the presence of celiac disease – including; iron deficiency anemia, osteoporosis, amenorrhea, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, unexplained infertility, neurological disturbances, thyroid and liver diseases [1,2].

Clinical Presentation [1]

Silent Celiac Disease

Positive antibodies and positive biopsy without overt gastrointestinal or extraintestinal symptoms
Silent celiac is often found when screening high risk groups such as first degree relatives, individuals with Type 1 diabetes or Down syndrome.

Latent Celiac Disease

Positive or negative antibodies with negative biopsy
This group would also include those with the genetic markers (HLA-DQ2 or HLA-DQ8) but without positive antibodies or biopsy.
High risk groups such as immediate family members, individuals with Type 1 diabetes would fall into the category of negative antibodies and negative biopsy until celiac disease manifests itself.

Dermatitis herpetiformis

Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) is the skin  manifestation of celiac disease triggered by the ingestion of gluten. It is characterised by the appearance of a patchy, itchy rash and small blisters, most commonly found bilaterally on the elbows, knees, buttocks and scalp. Unlike the gastrointestinal symptomatic manifestation of celiac disease, Dermatitis Herpetiformis is more common in men than in women. The overall population prevalence of 1:3,300. Even though less than 10% of patients with Dermatitis Herpetiformis have gut symptoms most have total or subtotal villous atrophy upon histological examination [3]. As in individuals presenting with the gastrointestinal symptoms of celiac disease, virtually all patients with Dermatitis Herpetiformis carry the HLA DQ2/DQ8 alleles.

Treatment of Dermatitis Herpetiformis
A strict, life-long gluten free diet is the mainstay of treatment for this condition. In the first month after diagnosis. Several drugs including Dapsone, sulfones or steroids, can be used to help decrease symptoms and inflammation. More than 70% of patients following a strict gluten free diet are able to slowly reduce their drug dose over time [4].