Autoantibody screen in inflammatory myopathies high prevalence of antibodies to gliadin.

Background: Inflammatory myopathies (IM) are associated with autoimmune diseases.

Aim: To evaluate the titers of auto-antibodies specific to various autoimmune diseases in patients with IM compared with controls.

Methods: Sera from 99 IM patients and 100 healthy controls were tested for autoantibodies for vasculitis (myeloperoxidase, PR3, and glomerular basement membrane) and autoimmune gastrointestinal diseases (IgA and IgG antigliadin, antitissue transglutaminase, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae) utilizing the BioPlex 2200 Multiplexed Immunoassay method (Biorad).

Results: Antigliadin IgA levels were significantly elevated in IM patients compared with controls (0.37 units +/- 0.44 vs. 0.24 units +/- 0.15, P = 0.017). Antitissue transglutaminase IgA was marginally increased in IM patients versus controls (0.36 units +/- 1.12 vs. 0.2 units +/- 0.0, P = 0.08).

Conclusions: Antibodies to gliadin and tissue transglutaminase characteristic for celiac disease were elevated in patients with IM compared with controls. This may indicate a higher prevalence of gluten sensitivity or celiac disease in IM.