Active search of celiac disease among first degree relatives of known celiac patients Búsqueda activa de enfermedad celíaca en familiares de primer grado de casos celíacos

Abstract

© 2015, Sociedad Medica de Santiago. All rights reserved.Background: Active search of celiac disease (CD) among risk groups has significantly increased the scope of known clinical variants. Aim: To measure the frequency and clinical characteristics of CD among first degree relatives (FDR) of known celiac cases. Material and Methods: Between January 2012-August 2013, 37 patients with celiac disease brought 113 FDR for assessment. Their clinical data was recorded and a blood sample was obtained to measure serum Immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels, anti-transglutaminase (tTG) and anti-endomisial (EMA) antibodies. Cases with positive serology were advised to have an intestinal biopsy. Results: Fourteen relatives (12.4%) had positive serological results and none had IgA deficiency. Among IgA-tTG (-) cases, measurement of IgA/IgG-tTG identified an additional case. Two of the 14 relatives were EMA positive. All 14 cases were advised to have an intestinal biopsy, but only 6 accepted the procedure. I