ITP More Common in Celiac Disease, And Vice Versa

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is significantly more common in patients with celiac disease (CD), and vice versa, according to the results of a recent study.

Because CD and ITP are both immune conditions, recent research has sought to explore their potential association.

For this reason, researchers conducted a prospective observational study including 261 patients with CD and 32 patients with ITP. All patients with CD were screened for ITP, and all those with ITP were screened for CD.

Overall, in the CD cohort, 2 patients reported previous diagnoses of ITP, (odds ratio 15.3 compared with the general population), and in the ITP cohort, 2 patients had previous diagnosis of CD (odds ratio 9.98 compared with the general population).

“A greater frequency of ITP in coeliac patients and vice versa was observed in our study, suggesting an increased risk for patients of developing both disorders,” the researchers concluded.

—Michael Potts

Reference:

Bibbo S, Fozza C, Pes GM, et al. Increased frequency of immune thrombocytopenic purpura in coeliac disease and vice versa: a prospective observational study. Gastroenterol Res Pract. 2018. Article ID 4138434. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/4138434.