Clinical and neurological abnormalities in adult celiac disease

Neurol Sci. 2003 Dec;24(5):311-7. doi: 10.1007/s10072-003-0181-4.

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.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Controlled Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

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

Substances

  • Glutens