Evaluation of the Relationship Between Celiac Disease and Refractory Epilepsy in Patients Referred to Imam Khomeini Hospital of Urmia

Abstract

Objective: Celiac disease can be associated with other diseases, including neurological disorders. In this study, the relationship between celiac disease and refractory epilepsy was evaluated in patients referred to Imam Khomeini Hospital of Urmia. Material & Methods: In this cross-sectional study, patients with refractory epilepsy referred to the neurology clinic of Imam Khomeini Hospital of Urmia, during the second half of 2019 and controlled epilepsy were studied as a control group. The statistical population of the present study included 50 patients with refractory seizures and 50 patients with controlled seizures. The mean age of patients was 32.96 ± 11.35 years. Five ml blood samples were taken from the patients, and a serum anti-tTG test was performed using the ELISA kit. Then, in patients with positive anti-tTG, a duodenal biopsy sample was prepared using an endoscopy. Results: This study showed that the mean serum level of anti-tTG in patients with refractory epilepsy was higher than in patients with controlled epilepsy. Anti-tTG test results were positive in five of fifty patients with refractory epilepsy, and it was positive in two of fifty patients with controlled epilepsy. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of serum levels anti-tTG (p=0.14). Also, there was no significant relationship between serum level anti-tTG, age and genus (p>0.05). Biopsy results in three patients in the refractory epilepsy group and one patient in the controlled epilepsy group was in favor of a definitive diagnosis of the celiac disease. Patients in whom the celiac disease was confirmed by endoscopy had higher anti-tTG levels (p=0.006). Conclusion: There was no significant difference between the celiac disease in the group with refractory epilepsy and controlled epilepsy.