A257 ASSOCIATION BETWEEN CELIAC DISEASE AND AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW. (15th March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Quan, J; Panaccione, N; King, J A; Underwood, F; Windsor, J W; Coward, S; Gidrewicz, D; Kaplan, G G
• Is Part Of: Journal of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology. Volume 2(2019)Supplement 2
• Page Start: 502
• Page End: 503
• Publication Date: 2019-03-15
• Subjects: Gastroenterology -- Periodicals; 616.33005
• DOI: 10.1093/jcag/gwz006.256
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2515-2084

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Celiac disease is a gastrointestinal disorder affecting approximately 1% of the population. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) describes a range of developmental disorders that affects communication and behavior with no known cause. Several epidemiological studies have explored a possible connection between celiac disease and ASD. Aims: To evaluate the association between celiac disease and ASD. Methods: A systematic review was performed. MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched for observational studies reporting the co-occurrence of celiac disease and ASD between January 1 st, 1946 and May 2 nd, 2018. Studies reporting the prevalence of ASD within a cohort of celiac disease patients or vice versa were included. Studies were assessed for quality, heterogeneity, and overall findings. Results: Fifteen articles investigating the association between celiac disease and ASD were identified (Table 1); thirteen studies observed cohorts of ASD patients and four studies observed cohorts of celiac disease patients. There was significant heterogeneity between studies. Statistically significant results supporting the association between ASD and celiac disease were observed in three studies that had the largest sample sizes. However, the majority of studies demonstrating no association employed invalid or unclear sampling techniques, were at risk of selection bias, or included small sample sizes. Conclusions: This systematic review suggests there is limited evidence to support an association between ASD and celiac disease. However, several study design characteristics, rather than the non-existence of this comorbidity, may explain these findings. Further population-based studies are necessary to adequately assess the relationship between these two conditions. Funding Agencies: None