Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder induced by gliadin fraction of gluten (a protein that is in grain of wheat, rye, barley and oat) in genetically predisposed individuals. Enteric mucosa is primarily affected by the disease. The diagnosis is based on histological manifestation of lymphoplasmocellular infiltrates and various degrees of mucosa atrophy and hyperplastic crypts. Clinical manifestations are substantially variable – ranging from diarrhoea and fatigue, loss of weight and other manifestations of malabsorption to nonspecific manifestations (meteorism, abdominal pain) or any alimentary manifestation. The only manifestation of the disease may be osteoporosis, osteomalacia, neurological disturbances, and gynecological, dermal or joint manifestations – mostly non-erosive symmetric polyarthritis affecting shoulders, knees and hips and possibly axial involvement. The authors discuss usefulness of celiac specific antibodies for the diagnosis of celiac disease, musculoskeletal manifestations (mostly osteoporosis and joint involvement) and occurrence of celiac disease among patients with systemic connective tissue diseases.

        Key words: celiac disease, osteoporosis, osteomalacia, arthritis, antibodies