Adult celiac disease and hepatopathy

A retrospective study was performed in order to evaluate the prevalence of significant hepatic disease in patients with coeliac disease and its outcome after a gluten-free diet. Out of 46 patients with coeliac disease, 28 (60.87%) presented abnormal liver function test. These tests were normal after a gluten-free diet in 20 patients; one patient presented an acute B-virus hepatitis and in the remaining 7 patients a chronic liver disease was diagnosed (2 chronic persistent hepatitis, 1 chronic active hepatitis, 1 steatosis, 2 cirrhosis and 1 primary biliary cirrhosis). In conclusion, the high prevalence of significant hepatic disease in our patients with coeliac disease (15%) suggests an association between both disorders. Gluten-free diet does not modify the course of hepatic disease.