Open AccessInfertility and celiac disease: do we need more than one serological marker?
Author(s) -
Shamaly Hussein,
Mahameed Ahmad,
Sharony Asher,
Shamir Raanan
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.1111/j.0001-6349.2004.00592.x
Subject(s) - medicine , infertility , serology , unexplained infertility , gynecology , population , antibody , female infertility , anemia , obstetrics , gastroenterology , pregnancy , immunology , genetics , environmental health , biology
Objectives. Celiac disease (CD) prevalence is higher in women with infertility. Our study aims were to evaluate the prevalence of undiagnosed CD in Arab infertile women and to explore the usefulness of using more than one serological marker in the diagnostic screening for CD in this population. Methods. Women with unexplained infertility ( n = 192) and age‐matched healthy controls ( n = 210) were prospectively enrolled. Serum was tested for human tissue transglutaminase antibodies (TTG), antiendomysial antibodies (EMA), and immunoglobulin A. Intestinal biopsy was offered to women with positive serology or immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency. Results. CD was diagnosed in five infertile women (2.65%) and in one control (0.5%) ( p = 0.11). Gastrointestinal complaints were present in 60% (three of five) of women with CD and 11.8% (22 of 187) of women without CD ( p = 0.017). Anemia was reported in 80% of infertile women with CD and 4.8% of infertile women without CD ( p = 0.0001). Conclusions. Undiagnosed CD is prevalent in Arab infertile women as well as in Arab women in general. CD in Arab infertile women is frequently associated with gastrointestinal complaints and anemia. EMA testing is sufficient in suspected cases.