Joint involvement in children with celiac disease

Objective

To determine early joint involvement as detected by ultrasonography in children with newly diagnosed celiac disease, and in children with celiac disease on gluten-free diet for more than 6 months.

Methods

Cross-sectional comparative study evaluating joint abnormalities by ultrasonography.

Results

Ultrasonography showed abnormalities in 19 out of 60 (31.7%) children with newly diagnosed celiac disease as compared to 2 (3.3%) out of 60 in those on a gluten-free diet for more than 6 months.

Conclusion

Subclinical synovitis as detected by ultrasound is a frequent finding in newly diagnosed children with celiac disease.