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Article: Celiac disease association
- Article from:
- Dermatology Times
- Article date:
- August 1, 2003
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright Advanstar Communications, Inc. Aug 2003. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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Psoriasis patients at higher risk for celiac disease
Orlando, Fla. - Patients with psoriasis are at higher risk for celiac disease than the general population, according to Veronica Ojetti, M.D., a gastroenterologist at Gemelli Hospital in Rome.
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder characterized by damage to the villi that line the small intestine, resulting in loss of the body's ability to absorb nutrients through the villi. Individuals with celiac disease are unable to tolerate gliadin, a glycoprotein subfraction of gluten found in wheat and many other grains.
"In celiac individuals, gluten activates the immune system, damaging the intestinal mucosa," Dr. Ojetti said. "Diagnosis of ...