Prevalence of Asthma and Allergic Rhinitis in Children with Celiac Disease

Background: Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder characterized by damage to the small intestinal mucosa following the intake of gluten-containing foods in genetically predisposed individuals. Studies suggest that celiac disease is associated with asthma and allergic rhinitis.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of asthma and allergic rhinitis in children with celiac disease compared to healthy controls.
Methods: This study was conducted in 53 celiac children and 80 children with nonspecific abdominal pain as a control group; all participants were between 6 - 19 years. The children completed the ISAAC questionnaire, and spirometry was performed in each participant.
Results: The prevalence rates of asthma symptoms and physician-diagnosed asthma were similar in both groups (30% and 19%, respectively, in the celiac group and 17.5% and 22.5%, respectively, in the control group) (P > 0.05). Six (11%) patients with celiac disease and seven (9%) children in the control group showed obstructive changes on pulmonary function tests. The prevalence rates of allergic rhinitis symptoms and physician-diagnosed allergic rhinitis were also similar in both groups (36% and 9%, respectively, in the celiac group, and 34% and 9%, respectively, in the control group) (P > 0.05).
Conclusions: The prevalence rates of asthma and allergic rhinitis in patients with celiac disease were not significantly higher when compared to the healthy controls.