Serologic testing for celiac disease in young people with elevated transaminases

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Gastroenterology
• Immunology

Background:

• Elevated liver enzymes are a common sign of celiac disease (CD).
• Previous studies show CD prevalence of 4% in adults and 12% in children with unexplained high transaminases.
• Data from China regarding CD in this patient group were lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence of celiac disease (CD) in young Chinese patients presenting with elevated transaminases.
• To determine the association between CD and cryptogenic hypertransaminasemia in this population.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study involving 125 patients with elevated transaminases and 125 healthy controls.
• Screening for CD using serum IgA anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies (anti-tTG IgA) and total IgA.
• Hepatitis B viral markers were assessed in patients with elevated transaminases.

Main Results:

• No participants tested positive for anti-tTG IgA antibodies.
• No association was found between celiac disease and elevated transaminases in the study cohort.
• Hepatitis B viral infections were identified as a primary cause of elevated transaminases.

Conclusions:

• Routine serological screening for celiac disease is not advised for patients with isolated elevated transaminases.
• Exclusion of known causes of liver enzyme elevation, such as hepatitis B, is recommended prior to CD testing.