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BACKGROUND: Celiac disease (CD) is associated with an increased risk of developing epilepsy, a risk that persists after CD diagnosis. A significant proportion of CD patients have persistent villous atrophy (VA) on follow-up biopsy. This study's objective was to determine whether persistent VA on follow-up biopsy affects long-term epilepsy risk and epilepsy-related hospital emergency admissions. METHODS: Nationwide Cohort Study. We identified all people in Sweden with histological evidence of CD who underwent a follow-up small intestinal biopsy (1969-2008). We compared those with persistent VA to those who showed histological improvement, assessing the development of epilepsy and related emergency hospital admissions (defined according to relevant ICD codes in the Swedish Patient Register). Cox regression analysis was used to assess outcome measures. RESULTS: Of 7590 people with CD who had a follow-up biopsy, VA was present in 43%. The presence of persistent VA was significantly associated with a reduced risk of developing newly-diagnosed epilepsy (hazard ratio [HR] 0.61; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.38-0.98). On stratified analysis this effect was primarily amongst males (HR 0.35; 95 CI 0.15-0.80). Among the 58 CD patients with a prior diagnosis of epilepsy, those with persistent VA were less likely to visit an emergency department with epilepsy (HR 0.37; 95%CI 0.09-1.09). CONCLUSIONS: In a population-based study of CD individuals, persisting VA on follow up biopsy was associated with reduced future risk of developing epilepsy but did not influence emergency epilepsy-related hospital admissions. Mechanisms as to why persistent VA confers this benefit requires further exploration.

BACKGROUND: Seronegative villous atrophy (SNVA) is commonly attributed to coeliac disease (CD). However, there are other causes of SNVA. More recently angiotensin-2-receptor-blockers (A2RBs) have been reported as an association but data on SNVA have been limited to centres evaluating complex case referrals and not SNVA in general. OBJECTIVES: To provide clinical outcomes and associations in a large prospective study overseeing all newcomers with SNVA. DESIGN: Over a 15-year period (2000-2015) we evaluated 200 adult patients with SNVA at a UK centre. A diagnosis of either seronegative CD (SNCD) or seronegative non-CD (SN-non-CD) was reached. Baseline comparisons were made between the groups, with 343 seropositive CD subjects serving as controls. RESULTS: Of the 200 SNVA cases, SNCD represented 31% (n=62) and SN-non-CD 69% (n=138). The human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-DQ2 and/or DQ8 genotype was present in 61%, with a 51% positive predictive value for SNCD. The breakdown of identifiable causes in the SN-non-CD group comprised infections (27%, n=54), inflammatory/immune-mediated disorders (17.5%, n=35) and drugs (6.5%, n=13; two cases related to A2RBs). However, no cause was found in 18% (n=36) and of these 72% (n=26/36) spontaneously normalised duodenal histology while consuming a gluten-enriched diet. Following multivariable logistic regression analysis an independent factor associated with SN-non-CD was non-white ethnicity (OR 10.8, 95% CI 2.2 to 52.8); in fact, 66% of non-whites had GI infections. On immunohistochemistry all groups stained positive for CD8-T-cytotoxic intraepithelial lymphocytes. However, additional CD4-T helper intraepithelial lymphocytes were occasionally seen in SN-non-CD mimicking the changes associated with refractory CD. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients with SNVA do not have CD, in particular those who are not white. Furthermore, a subgroup with no obvious aetiology will show spontaneous histological resolution while consuming gluten. These findings suggest caution in empirically prescribing a gluten-free diet without investigation.