Celiac disease and associated diseases

<p>In accordance with the current definition proposed by the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) in 2012, celiac disease is regarded as an immune-mediated systemic disease caused by gluten and respective prola-mins in genetically predisposed people. Detailed studies of the pathogenesis of gluten enteropathy provided the basis for investigating the possible causes of the common concurrence of celiac disease with a number of autoimmune and endocrine diseases. The possible reasons for the association are considered to be common genetic markers in the patients, a cross reaction of the autoantibodies formed in celiac disease and activated T lymphocytes with the body's intrinsic antigens, as well as the systemic action of proinflam-matory cytokines. Although many issues of pathophysiology remain a matter of debate, the fact that patients suffering from a number of diseases form a group at risk for celiac disease and require a careful follow-up and examination for timely diagnosis and use of gluten-free diet is currently beyond question.