THROMBOCYTOSIS - A USEFUL TOOL FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND PROGNOSIS OF CELIAC-DISEASE

In 14 of 23 patients seen with coeliac disease thrombocytosis was present (range: 420 000 to 789 000 platelets per cubic mm) and was unrelated to iron deficiency or inflammatory syndrome. Among patients with thrombocytosis (group I), 6 had an associated autoimmune disease; this association was absent in patients without thrombocytosis (group II). There was no correlation betwen thrombocytosis and lymphocyte count, plasma IgA, IgG, IgM and fibrinogen levels, presence of HLA B8 antigen or histological stage. On the other hand, group I patients had a lower plasma level of albumin, phosphorus and folates. We conclude that thrombocytosis is useful in the assessment of patients with coeliac disease and reflects an enhanced activity of the disease. Moreover, the presence of thrombocytes in these patients' blood may indicate a major risk of associated autoimmune disease.