Seroprevalence of deliac disease among inpatients with chronic psychiatric disorders

The associations between celiac disease (CD) and chronic psychiatric disorders have been reported in several studies. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of CD in patients with chronic psychiatric disorders. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, two hundred inpatient subjects with depression disorders and schizophrenia admitted to Razi hospital in Tabriz, Iran were studied. Five milliliters of blood were collected from each subject. IgA anti-tissue transglutaminase antibody (anti-tTG) was examined by ELISA. The total serum IgA levels were determined by turbidimetry. Patients with positive anti-tTG and IgA deficiency were referred to upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. The mean age of 200 subjects (100 depressive and 100 schizophrenic males) was 37±10.06 years (range 18-68 years). One (1%) schizophrenic and two (2%) depressive patients were positive for anti-tTG. IgA deficiency was determined in three (3%) schizophrenic and two (2%) depressive subjects. Chronic diarrhea was not seen in any of the patients. None of the anti-tTG positive and IgA deficient subjects allowed duodenal mucosa biopsy. Seroprevalence of CD in schizophrenic (1%) and depressive patients (2%) was slightly higher than general population. Therefore, regular screening for CD is suggested in patients with chronic psychiatric disorders.