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ABSTRACT: Background
Patients with celiac disease (CD), characterized histologically by villous atrophy (VA) of the small intestine, have an increased risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD) and atrial fibrillation (AF), risks that persist for years after commencing the gluten-free diet. It is unknown whether persistent VA on follow-up biopsy, rather than mucosal healing, affects the risk of IHD or AF.Methods
We identified patients with histologic evidence of CD diagnosed at all 28 pathology departments in Sweden. Among patients who underwent a follow-up small intestinal biopsy, we compared patients with persistent VA to those who showed histologic improvement, with regard to the development of IHD (angina pectoris or myocardial infarction) or AF.Results
Among patients with CD and a follow-up biopsy (n = 7,440), the median age at follow-up biopsy was 25 years, with 1,063 (14%) patients who were ? 60 years at the time of follow-up biopsy. Some 196 patients developed IHD and 205 patients developed AF. After adjusting for age, gender, duration of CD, calendar period, and educational attainment, there was no significant effect of persistent VA on IHD (adjusted HR 0.97; 95%CI 0.73-1.30). Adjusting for diabetes had a negligible effect (adjusted HR 0.98; 95%CI 0.73-1.31). There was no significant association between persistent VA and the risk of AF (adjusted HR 0.98; 95%CI 0.74-1.30).Conclusions
In this population-based study of patients with CD, persistent VA on follow-up biopsy was not associated with an increased risk of IHD or AF. Failed mucosal healing does not influence the risk of these cardiac events.
SUBMITTER: Lebwohl B
PROVIDER: S-EPMC4312018 | biostudies-literature | 2015
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Lebwohl Benjamin B Emilsson Louise L Fröbert Ole O Einstein Andrew J AJ Green Peter H R PH Ludvigsson Jonas F JF
PloS one 20150130 1
<h4>Background</h4>Patients with celiac disease (CD), characterized histologically by villous atrophy (VA) of the small intestine, have an increased risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD) and atrial fibrillation (AF), risks that persist for years after commencing the gluten-free diet. It is unknown whether persistent VA on follow-up biopsy, rather than mucosal healing, affects the risk of IHD or AF.<h4>Methods</h4>We identified patients with histologic evidence of CD diagnosed at all 28 pathology ...[more]