Celiac disease in adults

Celiac disease is a lifelong autoimmune disorder that occurs in genetically predisposed people when consuming gluten. Its prevalence is around 1% of the population with about twice higher proportion of women. Celiac disease is one of the most common causes of malabsorption, however, its manifestations can be quite diverse - from completely asymptomatic to fully developed malabsorption syndrome. Extraintestinal manifestations are a common finding in adults. The gold standard of diagnosis is the serological detection of specific antibodies (the serum tissue transglutaminase IgA antibodies) in combination with a typical histological finding from a duodenal biopsy. Causal treatment is a lifelong gluten-free diet. Strict adherence to gluten-free diet will reduce the risk of serious complications (intestinal T-cell lymphoma). In the following case report we present a case of a 58-year-old patient, who have been diagnosed with celiac disease at this age based on non-classical symptoms. Specifically, these were multiple pathological fractures from metabolic bone disease due to malabsorption of calcium and vitamin D and subsequent secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Keywords: celiac disease, gluten, gluten‑free diet, malabsorption.