[Serological screening and analysis of clinical characteristics for celiac disease in susceptible population in Southern China].

Objective: To determine the seroprevalence of celiac disease in susceptible population, and to analyze the relationship between demographic characteristics, dietary habits, lifestyle and serological positivity so as to provide guidance for the prevention and treatment of celiac disease in Southern China. Methods: A total of 1 273 individuals who participated in Guangdong Province Health Screening Program in 2015, were selected as serologically positive subjects of celiac disease, including people with irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, diarrhea, anemia, low BMI, short stature, type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis, psoriasis and bristol grade=6 or 7. All subjects were tested for serum IgA anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies (TTGA), IgA antibodies against deamidated gliadin peptides(DGPA) and IgG against deamidated gliadin peptides (DGPG). Dietary habits, lifestyle and demographic characteristics were compared in subgroups. Results: The seroprevalence of celiac disease in susceptible population was 0.94% (95% CI 0.54%-1.64%) including 0.08% (1/1 273) for TTGA, 0.47% (6/1 273) for DGPA, and 0.39% (5/1 273) for DGPG. The seropositive rate was 3.6% (1/28) in patients with psoriasis, 2.1% (2/95) in the low BMI group, 1.9% (1/53) in T1DM group, 1.8% (3/169) in diarrhea group and 1.1% (5/463) in RA group. No significant difference was found in age, gender, high carbohydrate diet or lifestyle between the negative and the positive subjects. Conclusions: In Southern China, the seropositive rate of celiac disease is 0.94% in susceptible population, which prompts an urgent need of serological screening for early diagnosis.