Prevalence of celiac disease in adult patients with iron deficiency anemia of obscure origin

Abstract

Background Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease which is underestimated over the world. Iron deficiency anemia can be the only presentable symptom for patients with celiac disease. Screening of patients with iron deficiency anemia of obscure origin by anti-tissue transglutaminase serum igA to diagnose celiac disease followed by upper GIT endoscopy is an important step. Objective to evaluate the prevalence of celiac disease in adult patients with iron-deficiency anemia of obscure origin. Methods The present study was a cross-sectional study which included 100 patients with a diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia recruited from Ain Shams University hospitals. All the patients were subjected to: Full history of gastrointestinal symptoms of celiac disease(CD), Age of onset of iron deficiency anemia, Complete blood picture, Serum iron, serum ferritin, transferrin saturation, Anti-tissue transglutaminase antibody immunoglobuline A, Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and duodenal biopsy to patients who had positive serology. Results The present study showed that 8% of cases with iron deficiency anemia of obscure origin were ultimately diagnosed as cases of celiac diseases while 47% were diagnosed according to duodenal biopsy as potential celiac disease (where there was positive serology and intact villous architecture according to marsh classification) and 45%of cases were non-celiac disease. Conclusion Screening for celiac disease should be considered in patients with iron deficiency anemia of obscure origin