Iron-deficiency anemia as a subclinical celiac disease presentation in an Argentinian population

• Published in: Revista de gastroenterología de México 2017-07, Vol.82 (3), p.270-273
• Main Authors: Lasa, J S, Olivera, P, Soifer, L, Moore, R
• Format: Article
• Language: eng ; spa
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency - etiology; Argentina; Biopsy; Case-Control Studies; Celiac Disease - complications; Celiac Disease - diagnosis; Celiac Disease - epidemiology; Celiac Disease - pathology; Duodenoscopy; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Sensitivity and Specificity
• ISSN: 0375-0906
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rgmx.2016.12.008

There is a wide heterogeneity in the reports of celiac disease prevalence in iron-deficiency anemia patients. To determine the prevalence of celiac disease in patients with iron-deficiency anemia. Adult patients with a diagnosis of iron-deficiency anemia were enrolled for upper endoscopy with duodenal biopsies. Healthy volunteers that underwent upper endoscopy were enrolled as controls. A total of 135 patients with iron-deficiency anemia and 133 controls were enrolled. Celiac disease prevalence was higher in the iron-deficiency anemia group [11.11 vs. 1.51%, OR: 8.18 (1.83-36.55), P=.001). Of the celiac disease patients in the iron-deficiency anemia group, 73.3% had at least one endoscopic sign suggesting villous atrophy, whereas 100% of the celiac disease patients in the control group presented with at least one endoscopic sign. Patients with iron-deficiency anemia have an increased risk for celiac disease. Up to 25% of these patients may not present any endoscopic sign suggesting villous atrophy.