Cross-sectional study of coeliac autoimmunity in a population of Vietnamese children

Abstract

ObjectiveThe prevalence of coeliac disease (CD) in Vietnam is unknown. To fill this void, we assessed the prevalence of serological markers of CD autoimmunity in a population of children in Hanoi.SettingThe outpatient blood drawing laboratory of the largest paediatric hospital in North Vietnam was used for the study, which was part of an international project of collaboration between Italy and Vietnam.ParticipantsChildren having blood drawn for any reason were included. Exclusion criteria were age younger than 2 years, acquired or congenital immune deficiency and inadequate sample. A total of 1961 children (96%) were enrolled (838 females, 1123 males, median age 5.3 years).OutcomesPrimary outcome was the prevalence of positive autoimmunity to both IgA antitransglutaminase antibodies (anti-tTG) assessed with an ELISA test and antiendomysial antibodies (EMA). Secondary outcome was the prevalence of CD predisposing human leucocyte antigens (HLA) (HLA DQ2/8) in the positive children and in a random group of samples negative for IgA anti-tTG.ResultsThe IgA anti-tTG test was positive in 21/1961 (1%; 95% CI 0.61% to 1.53%); however, EMA antibodies were negative in all. HLA DQ2/8 was present in 7/21 (33%; 95% CI 14.5% to 56.9%) of the anti-tTG-positive children and in 72/275 (26%; 95% CI 21% to 32%) of those who were negative.ConclusionsCoeliac autoimmunity is rare in Vietnam, although prevalence of HLA DQ2/8 is similar to that of other countries. We hypothesise that the scarce exposure to gluten could be responsible for these findings.

Screening for coeliac disease in children and adults living in a slum of Dhaka, Bangladesh

“…However, the population that consume wheat as staple diet exhibited a lower prevalence of CD (0.76%) in Shandong province located in northern China. 15 Initial reports from Singapore and Vietnam also showed the presence of CD in these countries 14 17. A study conducted in Malaysia reported a seroprevalence of 1.25% in healthy young adults 16.…”

“…A few studies were conducted on the symptomatic individuals in China, India, Malaysia and Vietnam to estimate the prevalence. 14–17 However, there remains scarcity of information regarding the CD prevalence in Bangladesh especially among the malnourished population. Seroprevalence (IgA tTg positivity) of CD was found 15.38% among severe acute malnourished children in India 18.…”

Asymptomatic Duodenitis and Helicobacter pylori associated Dyspepsia in 2-Year-Old Chronic Malnourished Bangladeshi Slum-Dwelling Children: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…The prevalence of CD exhibits evident racial and geographical differences, being more common in the Western population. CD in children is considered to be uncommon in the Asia–Pacific region [ 24 ]. On the other hand, EED, previously known as tropical enteropathy, is a sub-acute inflammatory condition of the small intestinal mucosa with obscure etiology accounting for more than 40% of stunting [ 18 ].…”

Opportunities and challenges in the management of celiac disease in Asia

“…17 In a study from Malaysia, the seroprevalence of CeD was found to be 1.25% (95% CI, 0.78-1.72%) in a relatively small study including 562 young healthy volunteers. 18,19 Although there are suggestions of existence of CeD in Southeast Asia based on the reports from Japan, 19 Singapore, 20 and Vietnam, 21 the prevalence in these areas is either low or unknown. Furthermore, there are no formal reports on CeD from Taiwan, Indonesia, Korea, and many other Asian countries.…”