Adult celiac disease and recurrent pericarditis.

Three patients presented with acute pericarditis. No cause was found and, in each case, the pericarditis was recurrent. Investigation revealed evidence of malabsorption due to adult celiac disease. Two of the patients responded to a gluten-free diet and cortiscosteroid therapy. The third patient responded to a gluten-free diet alone and remains well. Celiac disease is a multisystem disorder in which extraintestinal involvement is common. Recurrent pericarditis may be such a manifestation.