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Studies have shown an increased risk of ischemic heart disease in patients with celiac disease, despite the patients' lack of traditional ischemic heart disease risk factors.
Dr Emilsson and colleagues from Sweden characterized ischemic heart disease according to celiac disease status.
Data on duodenal or jejunal biopsies were collected in 2006–2008 from all 28 pathology departments in Sweden and were used to define celiac disease. The team used the Swedish cardiac care register SWEDEHEART to identify ischemic heart disease, and to obtain data on clinical status and risk factors at time of first myocardial infarction for this case-only comparison.  | | Celiac disease patients had less extensive coronary artery disease | | Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics |
Celiac disease patients were compared with general population reference individuals.
The researchers identified 1075 celiac disease patients, and 4142 reference individuals with subsequent ischemic heart disease. Celiac disease patients with myocardial infarction had lower body mass index, and cholesterol values, and were less likely to be active smokers than reference individuals with myocardial infarction. Celiac disease patients had less extensive coronary artery disease at angiography. The team observed no difference in the proportions of celiac disease patients with positive biochemical markers of myocardial infarction.
Dr Emilsson's team concludes, "Despite evidence of an increased risk of ischemic heart disease and higher cardiovascular mortality, celiac disease patients with ischemic heart disease have a more favorable cardiac risk profile compared with ischemic heart disease in reference individuals."
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