Prevalence of celiac disease in unexplained chronic hypertransaminasemia. - GreenMedInfo Summary
Prevalence of coeliac disease in unexplained chronic hypertransaminasemia.
Rev Esp Enferm Dig. 2001 Nov ;93(11):707-14. PMID: 11995370
Gastroenterology Department, Hospital de Guipúzcoa, Guipúzcoa, Spain. [email protected]
OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of coeliac disease amongst the population with unexplained chronic hypertransaminasemia in our region.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective study was carried out on 147 consecutive patients with chronic hypertransaminasemia, having previously discarded alcoholic cause, hepatotoxic drugs, B, C and Delta viral infections, autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, Jemochromatosis, alfal-antitrypsin deficiency, Wilson's disease, congestive liver and illicit drug use. Serum Ig A to gliadin and endomysium antibodies were determined. Intestinal biopsy was carried out in cases those positive for one or both antibodies.
RESULTS: One patient was positive for both IgA to gliadin and to endonisyum antibodies, whereas another three patients were positive to IgA to gliadin only. A duodenal biopsy proved normal in two, a total villous atrophy in one and subtotal atrophy in other.
CONCLUSIONS: 1. The prevalence of coeliac disease amongst the population with unexplained chronic hypertransaminasemia in our region is 1.4%. 2. In our region, screening for coeliac disease in unexplained chronic hypransaminasemia should take a secondary place.
