STUDIES SUMMARIZED



Source (00:20)


Capsule Endoscopy Findings

Capsule endoscopy offers a detailed view of the entire digestive tract (see sample above). A Mayo Clinic study using capsule endoscopy showed that damage in the small intestine due to untreated celiac disease can vary significantly from patient to patient and not heal completely even after a year or more on a gluten-free diet. The degree of damage "did not explain differences in clinical presentation." (Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, CNNMoney.com)


Oral Manifestations

A meta-study found:

Dental enamel defects are the oral lesions most closely related to CD. There are conflicting data on the association between CD and recurrent aphthous stomatitis. A correlation of CD with atrophic glossitis has been reported, although robust evidence in support of it is lacking. Patients with CD have caries indexes seemingly lower than healthy individuals, but they may experience delay in tooth eruption. Occurrence of other oral mucosal lesions in CD subjects is likely occasional.

and concluded that

Patients with systematic dental enamel defects should be screened for CD even in the absence of gastrointestinal symptoms. CD screening tests for patients with oral aphthae or idiopathic atrophic glossitis should be selectively considered during a medical evaluation that focuses on all aspects of the patient's status. (Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology)

Seniors

Israeli researchers identified a group of seven people with celiac disease who had been diagnosed after age 60 and saw signs of improvement in cognitive decline (previously attributed to Alzheimer's Disease) as well as other symptoms:

The most common presenting findings were weight loss, iron deficiency anemia, and diarrhea. Two patients suffered from severe early osteoperosis and 2 additional patients had elevated liver function tests. Neurologic manifestation was suspected in 3 cases. Two female patients presented with cognitive decline that was attributed to Alzheimer dementia but ameliorated after the initiation of gluten-free diet. The third patient had peripheral neuropathy that completely resolved after the initiation of gluten-free diet. Median lag in diagnosis was 8 years. Diet treatment led to complete resolution of symptoms in most cases and a significant weight gain.... (Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology, NewsRx)

Thanks to Michael Thorn

MEET MEGAN FROM MELBOURNE!

Friendly vlogger Megan (a.k.a. jewelchic) from Melbourne suffered from fatigue, canker sores, and severe weight loss before she got her celiac (a.k.a. coeliac) diagnosis and went gluten-free. She was tested after her mother had gotten a diagnosis a year earlier.

Until I watched this video I hadn't realized that the popular Australian spread Vegemite is forbidden on a gluten-free diet.



Source (4:07)

YESTERDAY ON TODAY IN NEW YORK















Here's video of Wednesday morning's Today in New York segment in which anchor Rob Morrison talks about celiac disease with medical contributor Dr. Lisa Thebner.

As you can see in the video (4:15 not counting the lead-in advertisement), Morrison knows someone who got a positive diagnosis and experienced improved health after adopting a gluten-free diet. Morrison and Thebner discuss how celiac disease is more common than previously thought and go over some of the classic symptoms: cramps, weight loss, poor weight gain in children, distension, cramps, and stool changes (including diarrhea, foul smell, gray coloration) as well as anemia, skin rash, mood changes, nerve damage (tingling), and joint and muscle pain. Thebner mentions that first-degree relatives of people diagnosed with CD should also get tested.

A companion article is available here.

Photo: David Marc Fischer