Guide | Study Finds Women With Celiac Disease Have Higher Rates of Endometriosis and Infertility
At the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) 2023 Annual Scientific Meeting in Vancouver, Canada, Cleveland Clinic researcher Dr. Rama Nanah presented study findings showing that women with celiac disease face higher risks of conditions including ovarian failure, endometriosis, and recurrent miscarriage. Dr. Nanah said, “Celiac disease is closely associated with higher rates of women’s health conditions,” and urged patients and doctors to remain alert.
Links Between Celiac Disease and Women’s Health Conditions
The study analyzed health data from 9,368 women with celiac disease and more than 25 million women without it. Women with celiac disease had significantly higher risks of:
Ovarian failure: 6 times the risk of women without celiac disease;
Endometriosis: 2.5 times the risk;
Recurrent pregnancy loss: 2 times the risk.
The study also found that women with celiac disease were more likely to have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), irregular menstruation, and infertility. These conditions appeared across age groups:
Ages 10 to 18: Patients with celiac disease were 4 times as likely to have delayed menarche, defined as no first period by age 15 or within 3 years of breast development;
Ages 19 to 35: Patients with celiac disease were more likely to have PCOS, endometriosis, and infertility;
Ages 36 to 45: In addition to the conditions above, they were more likely to have menopause-related conditions, including early menopause;
Ages 46 to 60: Patients with celiac disease also had significantly higher rates of menopause-related conditions.
Large-Scale Study Offers a New Perspective
Previous studies linked celiac disease with pregnancy and childbirth complications, but the evidence was inconsistent. By analyzing a large and diverse outpatient dataset, Dr. Nanah and colleagues further confirmed links between celiac disease and women’s health conditions and reported an association with PCOS. The findings offer a new perspective on health management for women with celiac disease.
Call for Closer Follow-Up
Study collaborator Dr. Shannon Chang, a gastroenterologist at NYU Langone Health, said the study is important because it reminds clinicians to consider conditions that may accompany celiac disease, especially infertility. However, because celiac disease treatment is currently limited to recommending a gluten-free diet, many patients do not receive regular follow-up care.
Dr. Chang recommended closer health monitoring of women with celiac disease by primary care physicians and obstetrician-gynecologists to help improve quality of life.
Guide | Study Finds Women With Celiac Disease Have Higher Rates of Endometriosis and Infertility
Guide | Study Finds Women With Celiac Disease Have Higher Rates of Endometriosis and Infertility
At the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) 2023 Annual Scientific Meeting in Vancouver, Canada, Cleveland Clinic researcher Dr. Rama Nanah presented study findings showing that women with celiac disease face higher risks of conditions including ovarian failure, endometriosis, and recurrent miscarriage. Dr. Nanah said, “Celiac disease is closely associated with higher rates of women’s health conditions,” and urged patients and doctors to remain alert.
Links Between Celiac Disease and Women’s Health Conditions
The study analyzed health data from 9,368 women with celiac disease and more than 25 million women without it. Women with celiac disease had significantly higher risks of:
Ovarian failure: 6 times the risk of women without celiac disease;
Endometriosis: 2.5 times the risk;
Recurrent pregnancy loss: 2 times the risk.
The study also found that women with celiac disease were more likely to have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), irregular menstruation, and infertility. These conditions appeared across age groups:
Ages 10 to 18: Patients with celiac disease were 4 times as likely to have delayed menarche, defined as no first period by age 15 or within 3 years of breast development;
Ages 19 to 35: Patients with celiac disease were more likely to have PCOS, endometriosis, and infertility;
Ages 36 to 45: In addition to the conditions above, they were more likely to have menopause-related conditions, including early menopause;
Ages 46 to 60: Patients with celiac disease also had significantly higher rates of menopause-related conditions.
Large-Scale Study Offers a New Perspective
Previous studies linked celiac disease with pregnancy and childbirth complications, but the evidence was inconsistent. By analyzing a large and diverse outpatient dataset, Dr. Nanah and colleagues further confirmed links between celiac disease and women’s health conditions and reported an association with PCOS. The findings offer a new perspective on health management for women with celiac disease.
Call for Closer Follow-Up
Study collaborator Dr. Shannon Chang, a gastroenterologist at NYU Langone Health, said the study is important because it reminds clinicians to consider conditions that may accompany celiac disease, especially infertility. However, because celiac disease treatment is currently limited to recommending a gluten-free diet, many patients do not receive regular follow-up care.
Dr. Chang recommended closer health monitoring of women with celiac disease by primary care physicians and obstetrician-gynecologists to help improve quality of life.
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