The Anonymous Widower

Do Coeliacs Suffer Badly From Sepsis?

As everybody seems to be getting this these days, I just had to ask Google AI the question in the title of this post.

This is the reply I received.

. Yes, individuals with celiac disease (CD) are at a modestly increased risk of developing sepsis, particularly pneumococcal sepsis, with studies showing a 1.6 to 2.6-fold higher risk of sepsis compared to the general population.
Here is a detailed breakdown of the relationship between celiac disease and sepsis:
Higher Risk of Specific Sepsis Types: The most significant risk is for pneumococcal sepsis (caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae), with some studies indicating a 2.5 to 3.9-fold increased risk.
Adult vs. Childhood Risk: The increased risk of sepsis is primarily, and in some studies solely, limited to individuals diagnosed with celiac disease in adulthood.
Cause – Hyposplenism: A major reason for this vulnerability is hyposplenism (reduced spleen function), which occurs in roughly 20% of patients with mild, controlled celiac disease, and up to 80% of those with untreated or complicated disease. The spleen is critical for fighting encapsulated bacteria like S. pneumoniae.
Other Potential Causes: Increased intestinal permeability (“leaky gut”) and malnutrition, which are associated with active celiac disease, may also contribute to a higher risk of infection.
Sepsis Outcome: While celiac patients are more likely to get sepsis, studies indicate that celiac disease does not significantly influence the survival or prognosis once a patient has developed sepsis.
Prevention: Because of the heightened risk, many guidelines recommend that individuals with celiac disease receive the pneumococcal vaccine, particularly if they have not already received it.
Conclusion: Coeliacs do not necessarily suffer “badly” in terms of worse survival rates from sepsis.
I can go along with that. Especially, as I have received the pneumococcal vaccine.

February 12, 2026 Posted by | Artificial Intelligence, Health | , , | Leave a comment

Can Uncomplicated Pancolonic Diverticular Disease Make My Left Foot Go Red?

In My Unusual Feet, which I wrote in February 2022, I showed this typical picture of my feet.

Note how the left foot is redder than the right.

This prompted me to ask Google AI, the question in the title of this post and I received this answer.

No, uncomplicated pancolonic diverticular disease itself is not likely to cause a red left foot, though it’s possible for pain to radiate to the legs. A red foot would be a symptom of a different issue, and could be related to complications from the diverticular disease, such as sepsis (a severe infection), or another unrelated condition like poor circulation or an infection. It’s important to see a doctor to determine the cause of the red foot and rule out a more serious problem, especially if you have symptoms like fever or severe pain.

As sepsis is mentioned, if it happens again, I’ll see a health professional.

October 21, 2025 Posted by | Health | , , , | Leave a comment

‘Breakthrough’ Blood Test For Sepsis To Save Lives

The title of this post, is the same as that of this article in the Sunday Times.

This is the sub-heading.

If the trial is a success it could allow speedy diagnosis for a condition that kills 48,000 people a year

These two paragraphs introduce the story.

A blood test is being trialled that can rapidly detect whether a patient has sepsis, in what could be a breakthrough for a condition that is notoriously difficult to diagnose.

Sepsis, which occurs when the immune system overreacts to an infection, kills about 48,000 people each year in the UK. More people die of it annually than of breast, prostate and bowel cancer put together. In severe cases, it can kill within hours.

A friend had sepsis and it nearly killed her. A test like this would probably have shortened her time in hospital.

I am coeliac and also a mathematical modeller and statistician.

  • If you are coeliac and stick to your gluten-free diet, which now includes delicious real ale, you are 25 % less likely to suffer from cancer than the general population, according to research at Nottingham University.
  • The reverse of this means that an undiagnosed coeliac living a rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle with lots of smoking, cannabis and a diet of gluten-rich junk food, you will have a higher chance of contracting cancer. Just as my undiagnosed coeliac son did, who died of pancreatic cancer at just 37.
  • Coeliac testing was difficult until around 1960, when a method using endoscopy was developed. Then in the 1990s, a general test using blood was developed.

I have analysed NHS cancer statistics and there is a step-reduction in cancer rate for those born after 1960 and 1990.

A simple blood test for coeliac disease has found a lot more coeliacs and saved a lot of lives.

My analysis is shown in detail in Hospital Pioneers Cancer Service For Over 70s That Saves Lives And Money.

For that reason, I believe that this new sepsis test could also save a lot of lives.

Coeliac Disease And Risk Of Sepsis

The title of this section, is the same as that of this paper on the British Medical Journal.

This is the conclusion of the paper.

This study showed a modestly increased risk of sepsis in patients with coeliac disease with the highest risk for pneumococcal sepsis. This risk increase was limited to those with coeliac disease diagnosed in adulthood. Potential explanations include hyposplenism, increased mucosal permeability and an altered composition of the intestinal glycocalyx in individuals with coeliac disease.

Perhaps anyone, who goes into hospital, should also be tested for coeliac disease?

December 17, 2023 Posted by | Health | , , , , | Leave a comment