Screening and Analysis of the Clinical Characteristics of Celiac Disease Autoimmunity in the Young Population in Northwest China

Abstract

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of celiac disease (CeD) autoimmunity among young adult individuals in northwest China based on their relevant demographics, clinical characteristics, and laboratory data.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of serum CeD prevalence among young students aged 18-23 years who underwent routine physical examinations at the Xinjiang Second Medical College from September 2022 to December 2023. All subjects were tested for total serum immunoglobulin (Ig) A levels. Those with normal total IgA levels were tested for anti-tissue transglutaminase (tTG)-IgA and anti-endomysial antibody (EMA)-IgA. Individuals with IgA deficiency were tested for anti-deamidated gliadin peptide (DGP) IgG and anti-EMA-IgG. CeD autoimmunity was defined as positivity for both EMA and tTG/DGP antibodies.

Results: Among the 1464 participants, CeD seropositivity rates were 0.41% for tTG-IgA and 0.55% for EMA-IgA, and CeD autoimmunity was prevalent in 0.34%. All seropositive patients had a normal body mass index. The incidence of seropositivity was highest in Tajiks (1.28%), followed by Kazakhs (0.97%), Hans (0.29%), and Uygurs (0.22%) (p > 0.05). CeD was most frequently associated with elevated transaminase levels (1.87%; p = 0.005). Biochemical tests showed significantly higher alanine aminotransferase levels in CeD-positive patients (p = 0.027).

Conclusions: The prevalence of CeD autoimmunity in the young adult population of northwest China was 0.34%. Since young individuals often lack typical clinical and laboratory features, screening for CeD in the population with gastrointestinal symptoms, related comorbidities, or atypical manifestations is essential for early diagnosis and effective management of the disease.

Keywords: celiac disease; epidemiology; prevalence; serology; young population.