Clinical and neurological abnormalities in adult celiac disease.

Abstract

We assessed the occurrence of neurological signs and symptoms in adult patients with celiac disease and evaluated the correlation between neurological features and diet. A total of 176 patients and 52 age-matched controls underwent a semistructural interview and a neurologic examination. The effect of gluten-free diet was evaluated by comparing the prevalence of signs and symptoms among patients adhering to a gluten-free diet and patients on an unrestricted diet. The occurrence of headache, dysthymia and signs of peripheral neuropathy was significantly higher in patients with celiac disease than in control subjects. Adherence to a strict gluten-free diet was associated with a significant reduction of headache, dysthymia, cramps and weakness, but did not modify the occurrence of paresthesia or hyporeflexia. Neurological signs and symptoms are associated with celiac disease and can be ameliorated by a gluten-free diet.

• Authors: G Cicarelli, G Della Rocca, M Amboni, C Ciacci, G Mazzacca, A Filla, P Barone
• Journal: Neurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology (Neurol Sci) Vol. 24 Issue 5 Pg. 311-7 (Dec 2003) ISSN: 1590-1874 [Print] Italy
• PMID: 14716525 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Controlled Clinical Trial, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Glutens

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Celiac Disease (complications, diet therapy, physiopathology)
• Dysthymic Disorder (diet therapy, etiology, physiopathology)
• Feeding Behavior (physiology)
• Female
• Food, Formulated
• Glutens (adverse effects)
• Headache (diet therapy, etiology, physiopathology)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Muscle Cramp (diet therapy, etiology, physiopathology)
• Nervous System (physiopathology)
• Paresthesia (diet therapy, etiology, physiopathology)
• Peripheral Nervous System Diseases (diet therapy, etiology, physiopathology)
• Reflex, Abnormal (physiology)
• Treatment Outcome