Alpha 1-antitrypsin phenotypes in coeliac patients and a control population in the west of Ireland.

alpha 1 antitrypsin or protease inhibitor (Pi) phenotyping was carried out on 111 coeliac disease patients (CD) and 250 controls. The Pi MM phenotype was present in 95 (85.6%) of the coeliacs and 225 (90%) of the controls. The groups did not differ significantly with regard to Pi phenotypes. In the CD group the Pi Phenotype did not relate to HLA B8 or DR3 status. Associated diseases in the CD patients did not correlate with Pi phenotype.