User:Atopperkroog/Coeliac disease

Neuropsychiatric
In recent years, literature on Coeliac disease has expanded beyond just biological implications to its neuropsychiatric implications. Recent literature indicates correlations with cerebellar ataxia, peripheral neuropathy, seizures, headaches, cognitive impairments, depression, anxiety, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), bipolar disorder (BD), schizophrenia, eating disorders (ED), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This is likely attributable to the shared biological processes and networks associated with the gastrointestinal and neural systems. Such neuropsychiatric disorders may arise prior to diagnosis or presentation of traditional gastrointestinal symptoms.

A longitudinal nationwide Swedish study found a 19% increased risk of developing neuropsychiatric disorders compared to the non-Coeliac population, with the greatest risk in the first year following diagnosis. A similar nationwide Danish study found a disproportionate number of Coeliac patients had developed one or more psychiatric disorders compared to the non-Coeliac reference population.

A gluten-free diet may be helpful not only for the small intestine but also for neurological protection. It remains unclear whether serological or neurophysiological symptoms can help to detect CD. However, following a strict gluten-free diet, while the only known successful treatment of Coeliac Disease, can lead to worse quality of life (QOL). Some findings suggest asymptomatic patients report better QOL than symptomatic patients; symptomatic patients following a strict gluten-free diet (GFD) report better QOL than patients consuming gluten. Elevated rates of social anxiety have been noted among patients following strict gluten-free diets, attributable to stresses of daily vigilance and potential for cross-contamination resulting in reactions.