Celiac Disease in Sabzevar: Prevalence Patterns and Clinical Manifestations

Background: Celiac disease is a systemic immune-mediated disorder that develops in genetically predisposed individuals following the consumption of gluten and prolamin proteins found in wheat and barley. Considering the wide range of clinical presentations of celiac disease and its association with other autoimmune disorders, and given the lack of sufficient data regarding its clinical spectrum, this applied research was conducted to assess the prevalence and clinical manifestations of celiac disease. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and clinical manifestations of CD in Sabzevar County, Iran.Methods: This cross-sectional study reviewed the medical records of ۲,۰۰۰ patients referred to Heshmatieh Hospital in Sabzevar. Patients with symptoms suggestive of CD or with type ۱ diabetes underwent serological testing (anti-tTG, total IgA). Those with positive serology underwent duodenal biopsy, classified according to the Marsh criteria. Demographic and clinical data were analyzed using SPSS.Results: The prevalence of celiac disease was ۲.۷%. The mean age was ۱۰.۰۹ years (SD = ۳.۲۴), and ۶۴.۸% were female. Growth disturbances were the most common manifestation (۵۹.۲%), followed by diabetes-related symptoms (۲۹.۶%). Gastrointestinal symptoms were present in only ۱۴.۸%. Mean anti-tTG IgA titer was ۱۹۴.۰۳ IU/dL (SD=۱۶۸.۶), and higher titers correlated with more advanced Marsh grades (Marsh ۳C: ۲۸۱.۵۲ IU/dL).Conclusion: Celiac Disease demonstrates a considerable prevalence of ۲.۷% within this high-risk pediatric population in Sabzevar. These findings highlight the critical need for heightened physician awareness of extraintestinal manifestations to facilitate earlier diagnosis and effective management.

کلیدواژه ها:

anti-tissue transglutaminase ، Celiac disease ، Iran ، Marsh classification ، Prevalence