Anti-transglutaminase, antigladin and ultra purified anti-gladin antibodies in patients with a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract Celiac disease (CD) is an enteric disease caused by dietary gluten in individuals with genetic predisposition. One of the clinical manifestations of CD is peripheral arthritis that may simulate RA. Objective To determine the frequency of anti-gliadin (aGL), anti-tissue transglutaminase (aTGT) and ultra purified anti-gliadin (AGLU) antibodies in patients with RA. Methods Cross-sectional study. We included consecutive patients diagnosed as RA (ACR). Demographic and clinical data were registered by direct interview and serum levels of aGL, aTGT and aGLU were determined using ELISA. Results Eighty-five RA patients were included; 87% were women. Mean age was 44 ± 12 years, mean disease duration 12 ± 9 years. IgG aGL antibodies were positive in 16 patients, IgA aGL antibodies in 29 patients, Aglu in 14 patients and only one patient had aTGT. Conclusions It is possible that CD may be the correct diagnosis in a patient with polyarthritis, even if the patient meets the ACR criteria for RA. In other words, CD should be considered among the differential diagnoses in a patient with polyarthritis.