[Anti-transglutaminase antibody in adults with celiac disease and their relation to the presence and duration of gluten-free diet].

UNLABELLED

IgA anti-transglutaminase 2 (tTG2) antibody is a relevant marker in celiac disease. The utility of IgA anti-tTG2 determination is well established for the diagnosis, however their use in the follow-up of patients with gluten free diet (GFD) it is not fully established.

OBJECTIVE

To determine IgA anti-tTG2 antibody levels in adult Paraguayan celiac disease patients and its relation to the presence and duration of the GFD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Adult celiac disease patients without (n=23) or with (n=49) GFD were included in this observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study with analytical component. IgA anti-tTG2 antibody serum levels were analyzed by ELISA.

RESULTS

All (100%) celiac disease patients without GFD had positive anti-tTG2 IgA. Serum levels of IgA anti-tTG2 were significantly elevated in celiac disease patients without GFD compared to levels in patients with GFD. 35% of patients treated with GFD (diet average duration = 5.7 years) had positive (29%) or indeterminate (6%) levels of IgA anti-tTG2. In terms of GFD duration we observed that while the GFD period increased, antibody levels decreased (r=- 0.2963; p=0.0387).

CONCLUSION

IgA anti-tTG2 antibody levels correlated inversely with the GFD duration. However, positive levels of these antibodies persisted in some patients, even several years after the onset of GFD.