By Jason Clevenger
Summary: A study to determine if celiac disease patients with low Vitamin D levels were at risk for other autoimmune diseases was done by researchers at the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University Medical Center.
More than 500 subjects diagnosed with celiac disease were tested for vitamin D levels, with 25 percent showing signs of vitamin D deficiency. Overall, the incidence of autoimmune diseases was found to be similar to the general population regardless of vitamin D level. Vitamin D deficiency was, however, more common in those who had anemia (39 percent) than those who did not (23 percent).
Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that while vitamin D deficiency is common in celiac disease patients, it is not a predictor of other autoimmune diseases. This is true even though Vitamin D has been known to have an effect on immune system regulation. Still, it may be clinically useful to evaluate Vitamin D deficiency for patients who also have anemia and celiac disease.
[1] “Vitamin D Status and Concomitant Autoimmunity in Celiac Disease”, Tavakkoli A, Digiacomo D, Green PH, Lebwohl B, Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology 2013 Jan 16. [Epub ahead of print].
