Serological screening for celiac disease in children with systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the frequency of celiac disease (CD) inpatients with juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE) and the potential association of JSLEand CD.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study performed from October 2015 to October 2017. A totalof 50 patients with JSLE were included in the study. The levels of total IgA and tissue transglutaminase (tTG) IgA antibody were measured in all patients. Subjects with increased tTG were furtherevaluated for anti-endomysial antibodies (EMAs). Gastroduodenoscopy and intestinal biopsy wereperformed in those with increased EMA levels to confirm the diagnosis of CD.Results: The study included 44 (88.0%) female and 6 (12.0%) male patients. Of the 50 patients, 30(60.0%) received corticosteroids, and only 4 (8.0%) received no therapy at the time of the study.Only 3 (6.0%) patients were positive for tTG IgA. Patients with positive tTG IgA were then tested forEMA IgA antibodies, and none of them had a positive result.Conclusion: We did not find CD in children with systemic lupus erythematosus. Studies with morepatients with JSLE are needed to conclude a more precise result.