Prevalence of IgA transglutaminase autoantibodies in groups at risk for celiac disease

Abstract

Celiac disease is a lifelong inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract affecting the small intestine in genetically susceptible individuals. Detection of the silent clinical form is recommended in at-risk groups to establish early treatment. The primary objective was to determine the prevalence of IgA antitransglutaminase antibodies in adolescents and adults belonging to groups at risk for celiac disease: relatives of patients with celiac disease, individuals with autoimmune disorders, and people with a suggestive clinical presentation. A total of 103 subjects, 72 women and 31 men, with a mean age of 33 ± 17 years, were included. They attended the National Hospital in Itauguá and the Municipal Polyclinic in Asunción between December 2003 and August 2005. The prevalence was high: 17.4%. Positive cases were characterized by a predominance of women (66%), a mean weight of 48 ± 11 kg, mean height of 1.62 ± 0.08 m, body mass index of 18 ± 4 kg/m², and mean hemoglobin level of 11.1 ± 2.7 g/dL. Diarrhea (p<0.001), flatulence (p=0.002), migraine (p=0.03), and recurrent oral ulcers (p=0.05) were significantly associated with positive results. In conclusion, the prevalence of celiac disease in at-risk groups was high, supporting active case finding.