A monocenter retrospective study of serological,histological and genetic characteristics of celiac disease in Northern Central Italy

Abstract

Objective: To examine the seroprevalence, correlates and characteristics of Celiac disease (CD) in a population sample of a Northern Central Area of Italy, by a monocenter retrospective study. Methods: Between 2006 and 2010, serum samples of 9371 subjects (age range 6 months to 91 years) were screened for tissue transglutaminase IgA antibodies (IgA-tTG) by the Immunologia-Allergologia Unit of AUSL1 Massa-Carrara, an area with a population of approximately 150,000. Endomysial IgA antibodies (EMA), HLA typing and small-bowel biopsy were also performed when indicated. Results: Of the 9371 subjects, 269 (2.87%) had positive antibody tests. The population was divided into several age groups and the highest prevalence (5.63%) was found in the 6 months-3 years group. The prevalence of IgA-tTG positivity was double in females compared to males. All IgA-tTG positive patients that were genotyped carried HLA-DQ2 or DQ8, none was 5 positive only. In positive IgA-tTG sera, levels of IgA-tTG were significantly higher in EMA positive than in EMA negative sera (p < 0.001) both in children and in adults. Ninety-five/269 IgA-tTG positive subjects underwent biopsy. IgA-tTG levels were different according to the histological degree of the lesion. When EMA were evaluated in IgA-tTG positive subjects the number of EMA negative sera was significantly higher in adults than in children. Conclusions: In summary, this study provides a monocenter retrospective analysis of serological, histological and genetic parameters of subjects with suspicion of CD in an area of Northern Central Italy from 2006 to 2010.