Prevalence and detection rate of celiac disease in Italy: Results of a SIGENP multicenter screening in school-age children

BackgroundCeliac disease is a common lifelong disorder. Recent studies indicate that the number of clinically detected cases has increased over last decades, however little known about changes in prevalence and detection rate celiac disease.AimTo evaluate current Italy by multicenter, mass screening study on large sample school-age children.Methodschildren aged 5–11 years were screened at school HLA-DQ2 -DQ8 determination drop blood six Italian cities; total serum IgA anti-transglutaminase determined children showing and/or positivity. Diagnosis was confirmed according to European guidelines.Results5994 eligible, 4438 participated 1873 showed predisposing haplotypes (42.2%, 95% CI=40.7–43.7). The overall 1.65% (95% CI, 1.34%–2.01%). Only 40% had been diagnosed prior screening. Symptoms evoking as controls.ConclusionIn this multicenter one highest world. Determination HLA genotypes an easy fast first-level test for disease. Without strategy, 60% patients remain currently undiagnosed Italy.