[Silent celiac disease: results of a study in secondary schools of Padua]

Aim of this study was the assessment of the prevalence of coeliac disease (CD) in children attending the secondary school in the city of Padua. 939 students, aged 10-15 years (mean age: 12 years, 7 months), 35% eligible population, were accepted to undergo a study process which included three stages: a) in all students venous sample was taken for measurement of the IgG and IgA anti-gliadin antibodies (AGA); b) measurement of serum immunoglobulins and anti-endomysium antibodies (AEA) if AGA IgA was resulted positive; c) intestinal biopsy was performed in 3 students; two of them had pathologic levels of AGA IgG and IgA and AEA. These patients were females and had decreased rates of statural growth, anemia with iron deficiency, anorexia, abdominal pain, asthenia. The third girl had positive AGA IgG and IgA but absence of AEA and normal biopsy. She also had symptoms of abdominal pain, reduced height. Follow-up studies have been planned to establish a latent phase of CD. In conclusion, the prevalence of CD was 2.13/1000 (0.37-8.55, 95% CI), if we consider the patients with established diagnosis of CD in the same urban area and of the same age, the overall incidence increases to 2.6/1000. This prevalence, therefore, is higher, than that of 0.5/1000 previously reported in the general population, with a ratio of 1/4 between patients already known and the cases detected in this study.