Celiac Disease: Clinical, Endoscopic and Histological Profile

Aim: To know the common clinical presentation, endoscopic and histological profile of celiac disease. Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out in Gastroenterology unit HMC, Peshawar from July 2009 to July 2011. Fifty two patients of both gender and more than one year of age, having clinical suspicion of celiac disease and proven histologically were included in the study. Results: Twenty five (48.1%) were male and 27 (51.9%) were female. The mean age was 20.19 +/- 10.68 years. Chronic diarrhea was present in 43(82.7%) cases, iron deficiency anemia in 39 (75%) cases, Weight loss in 34 (65.4%) cases, abdominal pain in 17 (32.7%) cases, failure to thrive in 15 (28.8%) cases and 15 (28.8%) cases were with short stature. Abdominal distension was present in 13 (25.0%) cases, vomiting in 8 (15.4%) cases, delayed puberty in 7 (13.5%) cases, infertility in 4 (7.7%) cases and dermatitis herpetiformis in 1 (1.9%) cases. Atrophic mucosa with mosaic pattern was present in 20 (38.5%) cases, nodular mucosa with scalloping in 15 (28.8%) cases, atrophic nodular mucosa without scalloping in 6 (11.5%) cases, normal mucosa in 6 (11.5%) cases and scalloping of duodenal folds in 5 (9.6 %) cases. Conclusion: Celiac disease is a gluten sensitive enteropathy which occurs in both gender of all age group with various intestinal and extra intestinal manifestations.