Celiac patients have been exposed to a study by a group of researchers. After detailed analysis, experts revealed that patients who suffered from Celiac disease had 2.5 more chances to develop nerve damage.
The object of their study was a small intestine biopsy collected from 28.932 patients with celiac disease and 139.473 healthy patients. The tissue allowed them to compare the risk in neuropathy for both groups of patients.
After research and analysis, 198 patients with celiac disease were diagnosed with neuropathy from a total of 359 control subjects. Translated, the results show 0.7% of people with celiac disease are more likely to develop nerve damage. Out of the “control” subjects, only 0.3% were exposed to such risks
There is no difference in risk for men and women suffering from the same affection. Celiac disease is a fertile ground for nerve damage in both genders.
In spite of the results, it seems that the risk of nerve damage among the study groups is still low and the general risks of developing absolute neuropathy are however diminished for celiac disease patients.
Celiac disease is an affection that causes malfunction in small intestines. Once a celiac eats gluten, protein found in wheat, rye and barley, his small intestine substances react with the protein and damage the natural absorption processes.
Effects of the disease are severe anemia, usually resulting from iron deficiency, loss of bone density, blistery skin rash, damage to dental enamel, fatigue, nervous system injury or acid reflux and heartburn. More than 1% of the general population suffers from celiac disease.
The cause of nerve damage in celiac patients could be the autoimmune nature of the disease. Immunologic mechanisms take the lead and allow the development of neuropathy, researchers declared.
In a separate analysis, studies showed that patients with neuropathy were carrying an increased risk of future celiac disease. However, celiac disease is not associated with acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, a severe form of nerve damage.
The surprising cause-effect bidirectional results are a first step to a future study in patients with neuropathy and its link to potential celiac disease development.
Image Source: neuroplenish.com
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