Celiac Disease and Increased Risk of Severe Illness From COVID-19

To date, there have been no studies or reports suggesting patients with celiac disease are at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 compared to patients without celiac disease.

Data is now being collected in an international adult and pediatric registry called SECURE-Celiac. We encourage all celiac patients diagnosed with COVID-19 to have their physician file a report at covidceliac.com. In conjunction, we are collecting patient-reported data in the iCureCeliac patient registry. You are able to share your experiences whether or not you or your child have been diagnosed with COVID-19 infection. Data from these registries will show the true impact of COVID-19 on celiac patients.

The Celiac Disease Foundation Medical Advisory Board states that celiac disease patients in general are not considered to be immunocompromised. A small proportion of celiac disease patients with severe malnutrition and weight loss, the rare complication of Type 2 refractory celiac disease, on immunosuppressive medications, or with other serious illnesses, may be at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and should consult with their physicians.

The Celiac Disease Foundation Medical Advisory Board does not consider occasional gluten exposure from cross-contact to put a patient with celiac disease at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19, but cautions that patients should adhere to a strict, gluten-free diet for overall health.

It is important to know that celiac disease is a chronic medical condition in which there appears to be an increased risk of infections with pneumococcal bacteria that cause pneumonia and herpes zoster (causing shingles). In addition, there appears to be increased risk of worse outcomes with influenza infections and an inadequate response to vaccination with hepatitis B. Still, these risks, while measureable in several studies, are small in magnitude. It is reasonable to consider that those with celiac disease, especially older individuals, may be at a small increased risk of worse outcomes with infections with this new virus.