# Association between celiac disease and fibromyalgia and their severity: a cross-sectional study

## TL;DR

This study explores the link between celiac disease and fibromyalgia, finding that patients with celiac disease and antibodies are more likely to have fibromyalgia.

## Contribution

The study identifies a significant association between antibody presence in celiac disease and fibromyalgia diagnosis.

## Key findings

- Patients with celiac disease and antibodies were more likely to meet fibromyalgia criteria.
- Clinical extraintestinal manifestations in celiac disease suggest the possibility of fibromyalgia.
- No significant relationship was found between fibromyalgia and clinical or pathological types of celiac disease.

## Abstract

Fibromyalgia (FMS) is a common musculoskeletal disorder with many causes. People with fibromyalgia often have the same symptoms as people with celiac disease (CD). Demonstration of the coordination and frequency of FMS and CD is important for effective treatment.

This is a single center cross-sectional clinical study. The study included 60 patients who were diagnosed with CD by the Gastroenterology Clinic based on American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) criteria. Patients were also asked to complete the Widespread Pain Index (WPI), Symptom Severity Scale (SSS), and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) to diagnose fibromyalgia and assess its severity. The results were used to analyze the frequency of concomitance and relationship between the two diseases.

The relationship between the clinical types of CD and the presence of fibromyalgia was insignificant. Analysis of the relationship between the pathologic typing of biopsy and fibromyalgia frequency was insignificant. Those with antibodies more frequently met criteria for fibromyalgia (P = 0.04, P = 0.04, respectively).

Presence of clinical extraintestinal manifestations in patients with CD should lead clinicians to consider FMS as a possible diagnosis. This points to the importance for clinicians in all subspecialties to be aware of the various symptoms and diseases associated with FMS.