ABSTRACT
Background: Neuropathy means nerve damage, which interferes with the functioning of the peripheral nervous system. It has been mentioned as one of the extra-intestinal manifestations of celiac disease. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of celiac disease in patients presented with idiopathic neuropathy
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was done in patients with idiopathic neuropathy at Shariati Hospital, Tehran. Serological tests including endomysial IgA, tissue transglutaminase [TTG] IgA and IgG, and DGP[deamidated gliadin peptide] IgA, and genetic assessment for HLA DQ2 and DQ8[human leukocyte antigen] were done for all patients and those who had positive celiac serology and HLA DQ2/DQ8 underwent endoscopy and adequate biopsy samples were taken. Diagnosis was made based on histopathological report of celiac disease
Results: 101 patients with idiopathic neuropathy were enrolled. The mean age was 43.56+/-10.66 years [range 70-18 years]. The prevalence of HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 positivity in patients with idiopathic neuropathy was 36.6% and 9.9%, respectively. The most common neuropathy subtype in patients with positive HLA-DQ2 and DQ8 was demyelinating PN[peripheral neuritis]. One patient [1%] was diagnosed as havine celiac disease
Conclusion: Although the prevalence of celiac disease in patients with idiopathic neuropathy was similar to the general population, having considered the pravalence of celiac disease, treating this condition with gluten-free diet is of importance