Rheumatic Complaints as a Presenting Symptom in Patients with Coeliac Disease

Collin P, Korpela M, Hällström O, Viander M, Keyriläinen O, Mäki M. Rheumatic Complaints as a Presenting Symptom in Patients with Coeliac Disease. Scand J Rheumatol 1992; 21: 20–3.Twenty-three cases of coeliac disease were found after a small bowel biopsy had been carried out on seventy patients with various rheumatic complaints. The prevalence of coeliac disease in patients with rheumatic disorders was estimated to be 1 in 243. The majority (19) of these cases were found by screening patient sera with a reticulin antibody test. Sjögren's syndrome was the most frequent rheumatic diagnosis, with a total of six cases. Coeliac disease may occur concomitantly with various rheumatic complaints, and serological screening is advisable.