Skin and coeliac disease, a lot to think about: a case series

BMJ Case Rep. 2018 Jan 4:2018:bcr2017222797. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2017-222797.

Abstract

Coeliac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disease, characterised by a permanent sensitivity to gluten. It is being progressively recognised as a multisystemic disease, with multiple extraintestinal manifestations. Skin conditions (eg, dermatitis herpetiformis) are an example of its manifestations; however, its underlying mechanisms are still not well understood. This article presents three cases of uncommon skin conditions in patients with a history of CD. Two of them concern linear IgA bullous dermatosis and erythema nodosum, which have been described in the literature as having potential associations with CD, though only a few cases were reported. The third case corresponds to pityriasis lichenoides-a rare lymphoproliferative disorder of unknown aetiology-, which has no correlation with CD in the literature reviewed. The authors aim to draw attention to the possibility of CD as a potential predisposing factor for the occurrence of these skin diseases.

Keywords: coeliac disease; dermatology; paediatrics.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Celiac Disease / complications*
  • Celiac Disease / immunology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Erythema Nodosum / immunology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Linear IgA Bullous Dermatosis / immunology*
  • Male
  • Pityriasis Lichenoides / immunology*