Sero-prevalence of Celiac Disease Among Healthy Adolescents in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to study the sero-prevalence of celiac disease among Saudi healthy adolescents. Methods: Between December 2007 and January 2008, healthy 10-12th grade school students were randomly selected in three regions in Saudi Arabia. These regions include: (1) Aseer region - having school population of 25,512, 13,996 males and 11,516 females; (2) Madinah - with school population of 23,852, 12,133 males and 11,719 females; and (3) Al-Qassim -with school population of 16,067, 7,974 males and 8,093 females. Demographic data were recorded, and a venous blood sample (5-10 mL) was taken from each student. Serum was separated by centrifugation, coded, and stored at -70 0C. The blood samples were tested for IgA anti-endomysium antibodies (EMA) by indirect immuno-fluorescence. Results: A total of 1167 students (614 males and 553 females) from these three regions were randomly selected. Twenty six (2.2%) healthy students had positive EMA, 17 females (3.1%) and 9 males (1.5%). Al-Qassim region had the highest CD prevalence among the 3 studies regions in Saudi Arabia (3.1%). Conclusion: On the basis of a high positive predictive value of the EMA antibody test, it is likely that the twenty six healthy students identified in this study have CD. These data suggest that CD prevalence is one of the highest in the world and that there is need for a large-scale epidemiologic study to determine the precise prevalence of the disease in Saudi Arabia.