[Prevalence of celiac disease in patients with chronic diarrhea].

The objective of this research was to study the frequency of celiac disease in patients with chronic diarrhea. The biopsy materials of the small intestine and levels of antibodies to alpha-gliadin of class A immunoglobulins (IgA) and tissue transglutaminase were studied in 206 patients with chronic diarrhea. Morphologic celiac-specific symptoms were discovered in 35 (16.9%) patients. Symptoms of the total atrophy were discovered in 28 patients (13.5%); those of subtotal one were found in 7 (3.4%) patients. The increase of antibody levels to IgA alpha-gliadin and tissue transglutaminase was discovered in all 35 patients. Their average level made up 123.7 21.2 units per milliliter and 48.7 11.3 units per milliliter, respectively. It was possible to observe the typical celiac form only in 4 (11.4%) patients; the latent form was found in 30 (85.7%) patients, and the torpid (refractory) form was discovered in 1 (2.8%) patient. The frequency of celiac disease in patients with chronic diarrhea is equal to 16.9%. Patients with the latent form of the disease prevail among patients with celiac disease. Immunological screenings with the subsequent morphologic study of the mucous coat of the small intestine should be prescribed to all patients with the chronic diarrhea syndrome to enable the early diagnostics of celiac disease.