Prevalence of Dermatitis Herpetiformis in iCureCeliac Patient Registry

The following study, which examines the prevalence and patient characteristics of dermatitis herpetiformis (DH), was made possible by the Foundation’s iCureCeliac® patient registry. iCureCeliac data, provided by patients committed to accelerating the discovery of better treatments, diagnostics, and, ultimately, a cure for celiac disease, empowers researchers to uncover disease patterns and answer questions most important to patients.

Results of the present study showed patients with DH were less likely to recall receiving counseling on a gluten-free diet at the time of diagnosis when compared with patients with celiac disease but without DH. Adopting a strict gluten-free diet within the first 5 years of diagnosis is especially important due to the increased risk of mortality from lymphoma in this period of time. Because the majority of patients with DH have underlying celiac disease and may be diagnosed by a dermatologist, the authors recommend that dermatologists should be prepared to counsel on a gluten-free diet and/or arrange follow-up with a gastroenterologist or dietitian.

Add your data to our iCureCeliac® patient registry today. iCureCeliac® is a free online portal for patients, or their caregivers, to provide critical insights into life with celiac disease. Your participation will help create better diagnostic tools and treatments for cross-contact and gluten consumption, governmental policy changes, and access to new and innovative clinical trials nationwide, which may, one day, cure celiac disease.