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Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the frequency of autoimmune cutaneous disorders in patients with celiac disease. Study Design: This descriptive cross sectional study. Setting: conducted at Dermatological Department of Liaquat University Hospital Hyderabad/ Jamshoro. Period: From 1st March 2015 to 31st August 2015. Material & Methods: Total 352 patients of age 15 to 45 years & either gender having celiac disease were enrolled consecutively. Patients with history of abnormal serological test results and already on gluten free diet, known cases of diabetes mellitus, tuberculosis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), secondary syphilis, hyper or hypothyroidism, iron deficiency anemia, pernicious anemia, Addison disease and pituitary insufficiency were excluded. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 16. The frequency/ percentage were calculated for autoimmune cutaneous disorders i-e; Dermatitis herpetiformis, Alopecia areata, vitiligo & psoriasis & for gender. The mean and standard deviation (SD) were calculated for age, duration of celiac disease and duration of cutaneous disorders. Stratified analysis was done followed by applying chi-square with a p value <0.05 taken as significant. Results: The mean age was 29.83 ± 8.91 years (Range 15-45). The mean duration of celiac disease was 5.99 ± 2.30 years (Range: 1-10 years). The Mean duration of cutaneous manifestation was 7.55 ± 3.30 months (Range: 3 to 15). Slight less than half of all patients were females 46.3%. More than two third patients i-e; 69% (n= 243) in this study were from rural areas. About 10.2% patients had dermatitis herpatiformis, 6.3% patients had alopecia areata, 2.6% patients had Vitiligo while 16.5% had psoriasis. The gender, age of patients, duration of CD & duration of development of skin symptoms were non-significant effect modifiers for the frequency of cutaneous manifestations among CD patients. Conclusions: Therefore, it concludes that psoriasis, dermatitis herpatiformis & alopecia areata are quite prevalent in CD patients. Vitiligo is rare condition. Screening for such autoimmune cutaneous manifestations and proper treatment of all such patients should be carried out routinely.