AIM

To examine incidence of celiac disease in patients with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) of unclear origin.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 331 IDA patients were examined for celiac disease (CD). The diagnosis was made on the basis of histological findings upon examination of the biopsy of small intestinal mucosa, detection of antibodies to alpha-gliadine (AGA) and tissue transglutaminase (TTG).

RESULTS

The cause of anemia was revealed in 270 (81.5%) of 331 patients. The rest 61 patients (18.4%) had anemia of unknown cause. A rise of AGA was detected in 33 (54.0%) of 61 patients, TTG--in 29 (47.5%) patients. CD was diagnosed in 29 (47.5%) patients. Four of 61 patients (6.5%) had no symptoms of malabsorption.

CONCLUSION

All the patients with IDA of unclear genesis must undergo serological tests for CD. In high titers of antibodies to AGA and TTG, retrobulbar duodenal biopsy is indicated with histological study of small intestinal mucosa.