Coeliac disease in patients with cerebellar ataxia of unknown origin

BACKGROUND. Neurological symptoms of unknown origin are common in coeliac d isease (CD). Evidence suggests that CD may also contribute to the developme nt of idiopathic late-onset ataxia. AIM. To evaluate the frequency of CD in patients with cerebellar ataxia of unknown origin. METHODS. The medical files of adult patients with the diagnosis of cerebell ar ataxia of unknown origin (n = 44) were evaluated. Serum gliadin, endomys ial, and serum tissue transglutaminase antibodies were used as screening te sts for CD. Subjects with positive results were referred to small-bowel bio psy. RESULTS. The frequency of CD was as high as 9.1% in all patients. A thoroug h interview and review of the patient files indicated alcohol abuse as a ca use for cerebellar disease in almost half (45.5%) of our patients. When the cases with alcohol abuse were omitted, the calculated frequency of CD was 16.7% in patients with ataxia of unknown origin. CONCLUSION. CD is a common association with cerebellar disease and the dise ase should be considered in all patients with ataxia of unknown origin.