BACKGROUND/AIMS: Anemia, especially due to iron deficiency, is a frequent feature in celiac disease. In this study, we aimed to define the prevalence of celiac disease in Turkish patients with iron deficiency anemia of obscure origin.

METHODS

One thousand four hundred and eighty-six consecutive patients with iron deficiency anemia were evaluated for etiology. Of those, 77 patients were found to have iron deficiency anemia of obscure origin. Sera from 77 patients with iron deficiency anemia of obscure origin and 119 healthy controls were tested for IgA and IgG tissue transglutaminase (tTG) antibodies by ELISA. Endoscopic mucosal biopsies were taken from the second part of the duodenum in these patients. Histopathologic examination results of patients were stratified according to Marsh classification.

RESULTS

IgA and IgG class anti-tTG antibodies were found positive in 6 (7.8%) and 3 (3.9%) patients with iron deficiency anemia of obscure origin, respectively. Three patients had only IgA anti-tTG and 3 had both IgA and IgG anti-tTG antibodies. In the control group, 1 subject was positive for both IgA and IgG anti-tTG antibodies (0.7%). Six patients (7.8%) and 1 control subject (0.8%) had histopathologic findings of celiac disease (p=0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with iron deficiency anemia of obscure origin had increased prevalence of celiac disease. Our study results suggest that serological screening may be recommended for early detection of celiac disease in patients with iron deficiency anemia of obscure origin.