Background/Aims: Celiac disease (CD) is an auto immune type of gastrointestinal (GI) disorder, in genetically susceptible persons. Recent reports from Middle East and from our country revealed a high prevalence of disease as high as Europe. However, i...
Background/Aims: Celiac disease (CD) is an auto immune type of gastrointestinal (GI) disorder, in genetically susceptible persons. Recent reports from Middle East and from our country revealed a high prevalence of disease as high as Europe. However, in our daily practice celiac disease is not a prominent diagnosis, and is considered as a sub-clinical or latent form. This study was performed to evaluate the prevalence of celiac disease in Shiraz, southern Iran. Methods: Serum samples were collected from 1,440 persons (age range=20-83 years, mean age=45.4 years) and screened for endomysial and tissue transglutaminase antibodies. A questionnaire was completed for all subjects in relation to GI symptoms and cases with positive serology were requested to undergo small-bowel biopsy. Results: Five subjects were positive for anti-tTG antibody assay, 4 agreed to undergo biopsy, and three cases were reported with March I histologic findings. In two cases with positive serologic anti-EMA, more advanced forms of CD were present. Conclusions: The prevalence of celiac disease in apparently healthy adults was lower than reported series form northern parts of the country. Therefore, we suggest a more long term follow up study in high risk groups especially in apparently healthy subjects in our region.