Compared to the general population, patients with celiac disease are at an increased, long-term risk of numerous common skin disorders, a recent study found. Lead author, Benjamin Lebwohl, MD, Director of Clinical Research, Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University, and Celiac Disease Foundation Young Investigator Awardee, explains, “We know that there is a skin condition, dermatitis herpetiformis, that is closely related to celiac disease. But that condition is relatively uncommon, and many of our patients report other common skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, or hives. This large study shows that these more common skin conditions occur at increased rates both before and after a diagnosis of celiac disease.”

The relationship between celiac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis is well-known and agreed upon in the research community, but research on the correlation between celiac disease and other skin disorders has been inconsistent. In this study, titled Risk of skin disorders in patients with celiac disease: A population-based cohort study, researchers identified 43,300 patients with celiac disease and 198,532 matched control individuals, then compared the incidence of skin disease in patients with celiac disease versus controls. After an average follow-up time of 11.4 years, the researchers found a higher rate of skin disease in patients with celiac disease compared to controls. Increased risks were present for eczema, psoriasis, urticaria, vitiligo, acne, and alopecia areata.

To read the full study, click here.