Study: Immune system may cause osteoporosis in celiac disease patients

NEW YORK People with celiac disease may be more likely to develop osteoporosis because their own immune system attacks their bone tissue, a recent study suggested.

About 20% of celiac patients produce antibodies that target a key protein called osteoprotegerin that maintains bone health, Scottish researchers reported in Oct. 8's New England Journal of Medicine. The result is rapid bone destruction and severe osteoporosis, Prof. Stuart Ralston of the Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine at the University of Edinburgh and his colleagues found.

People with celiac disease have a serious intolerance to gluten, found in wheat, rye, spelt, barley and other grains. Gluten can cause an immune system reponse that damages the small intensine in people with the disease. Initially, researchers believed that celiac disease patients may develop osteoporosis because their body lacked the ability to absorb calcium and vitamin D.

"Not only have we discovered a new reason to explain why osteoporosis occurs in celiac disease, but we have also found that it responds very well to drugs that prevent bone tissue removal," Ralston said.