Gluten intolerance antibodies in multiple sclerosis and clinically isolated syndrome : Coexistent or coincidental?

Abstract

Objective: As it is well known that autoimmune diseases can coexist, the association of multiple sclerosis (MS) with other autoimmune diseases has always been a major concern for clinicians. In this study, we aimed to investigate the clinical findings, and the frequency of autoantibodies related to celiac disease in MS and clinically isolated syndrome (CIS). Methods: Anti-gliadin immunoglobulin A and anti-gliadin immunoglobulin G and anti-endomysium immunoglobulin A and anti-endomysium immunoglobulin G antibodies were studied by the indirect immune fluorescence method, anti-tissue transglutaminase immunoglobulin A and anti-tissue transglutaminase immunoglobulin G were studied by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The study included 30 patients with CIS, 50 patients with relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS), 30 patients with progressive MS (PMS) and 42 healthy individuals as the control group. Results: One patient was anti-gliadin immunoglobulin A-positive in the CIS group, four patients in the RRMS group, one patient in the PMS group and two patients in the control group. Four patients were anti-gliadin immunoglobulin G-positive in the CIS group, four patients in the RRMS group, three patients in the PMS group and three patients in the control group. One patient was anti-endomysium immunoglobulin A-positive in the CIS group and two patients in the RRMS group. Two patients were anti-endomysium immunoglobulin G-positive in the CIS group, one patient in the RRMS group and one patient in the PMS group. Three patients were anti-tissue transglutaminase immunoglobulin A-positive in the RRMS group and two patients in the control group. All groups were anti-tissue transglutaminase immunoglobulin G-negative. Although the number of patients with positive antibodies seemed to be higher in MS groups, the difference was not statistically significant between the groups. Conclusion: We observed that celiac antibodies were not more common in MS patients than healthy controls. However, these antibodies are important to suggest gastrointestinal complaints in MS patients. © 2021 Japanese Society for Neuroimmunology