Dermatitis herpetiformis. I. Relatie met coeliakie

Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) and celiac disease are closely related autoimmune disorders induced by gluten sensitivity. They have many genetic, pathogenetic, immunological, and clinical features in common. All DH patients also have gluten sensitive enteropathy (celiac disease), either symptomatic, asymptomatic or latent. In both disorders serological investigation reveals IgA anti-endomysium antibodies as well as antibodies against tissue transglutaminase (tTG), the autoantigen in celiac disease. However, immunity in DH is directed towards epidermal transglutaminase (TGe). DH and celiac disease are two distinct phenotypes of 'gluten sensitive disease'. It can be assumed that the profile of complications (e.g. anaemia, osteoporosis, lymphoma) and associated diseases (other autoimmune disorders), as known in celiac disease, also applies to patients with DH, at least qualitatively. Permanent follow-up of patients with DH therefore seems to be indicated.