Evaluation of systo-diastolic cardiac function and arterial stiffness in subjects with new diagnosis of coeliac disease without cardiovascular risk factors.

In literature, there are conflicting opinions on the development of cardiovascular disease risk in patients with coeliac disease (CD). The aim of the research was to identify in young subjects without cardiovascular risk factor and newly diagnosed CD, alterations in different instrumental parameters that are associated with an augmented cardiovascular risk. Twenty-one consecutive young adults with a new diagnosis of CD and without cardiovascular risk factors were prospectively enrolled and underwent transthoracic echocardiography to analyse ascending aorta elastic properties [including tissue Doppler imaging strain (TDI-ε)] and left ventricular 2D strains (global longitudinal, radial and circumferential), and applanation tonometry by SphygmoCor. Cases were compared with 21 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Mean age of the cases was 38 ± 9 years and 15 of them (71%) were female. Brachial and central blood pressure was higher in the CD group. Elastic properties of the ascending aorta were all impaired in the CD group: TDI-ε was altered in 57% of cases (0% of controls, p < 0.001). Concentric remodelling and grade I diastolic dysfunction were present in 38% and 24% of cases, respectively (0% of controls, p < 0.001). Global longitudinal strain was normal in all subjects, while radial and circumferential strain were altered in 67% and 35%, respectively (0% of controls, p < 0.001). In young subjects without cardiovascular risk factor, a newly diagnosed CD is associated with altered aortic elastic properties, left ventricular concentric remodelling and diastolic dysfunction and altered radial and circumferential strain.