Frequency of anti–ɑ-fodrin antibodies in adult patients with active celiac disease
Amani Ifaoui, Moez Frikha, Sarra Melayah, Mariam GhozziAbstract
Introduction
Sjögren disease and celiac disease share autoimmune pathogenesis, and their association is well established. Anti–ɑ-fodrin antibodies (AFAs) are recognized markers of Sjögren disease, yet their prevalence in celiac disease has not been assessed. We sought to determine the frequency of AFAs (immunoglobulin A [IgA] and IgG) in adult patients with active celiac disease and compare it with that of a healthy control group.
Methods
A total of 81 adult patients with active celiac disease confirmed by serology and duodenal biopsy were retrospectively included. A total of 90 age-matched and sex-matched healthy blood donors served as controls. The AFAs IgA and IgG were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Results
We detected AFAs (IgA or IgG) in 33 of 81 (40.74%) of patients with celiac disease vs 7 of 90 (7.78%) control individuals (P < 10−6; odds ratio, 8.15). Immunoglobulin A was the predominant isotype (39.51% vs 4.44%, P < 10−6; odds ratio, 14.04).
Discussion
Anti–ɑ-fodrin antibodies are considerably more prevalent in active celiac disease than in healthy control individuals. Because clinical signs of Sjögren disease were absent in our patients, the specificity of AFAs for the disease requires reevaluation. Long-term follow-up of seropositive patients is warranted to determine whether they may develop Sjögren disease.