Can You Get Celiac Disease From a COVID-19 Infection?

May 22, 2023

A recent article published in BMC Gastroenterology explores the potential association between COVID-19 and celiac disease. The retrospective observational cohort study conducted by Lexner, Lindroth, and Sjöberg aimed to investigate whether individuals infected with COVID-19 are at an increased risk of developing celiac disease.

The research team analyzed data from a large population-based cohort comprised of individuals with confirmed COVID-19 infections and a control group who had never been infected with COVID-19. The study included a comprehensive follow-up period to assess the occurrence of celiac disease after the viral infection and statistical models to evaluate the risk of developing celiac disease in the COVID-19 group compared to the control group.

The researchers hypothesized that there might be an increased risk due to a COVID-19 infection potentially triggering an autoimmune response in genetically predisposed individuals or the COVID-19 infection disrupting the intestinal barrier function, altering the immune response and contributing to the development of celiac disease. However, the findings of the study revealed that individuals who had contracted COVID-19 did NOT exhibit a significantly higher risk of developing celiac disease than the control group.

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