Objective: To determine the seroprevalence of
celiac disease in susceptible population, and to analyze the relationship between demographic characteristics, dietary habits, lifestyle and serological positivity so as to provide guidance for the prevention and treatment of
celiac disease in Southern China. Methods: A total of 1 273 individuals who participated in Guangdong Province Health Screening Program in 2015, were selected as serologically positive subjects of
celiac disease, including people with
irritable bowel syndrome,
colitis,
diarrhea,
anemia, low BMI, short stature,
type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM),
rheumatoid arthritis (RA),
ankylosing spondylitis,
psoriasis and bristol grade=6 or 7. All subjects were tested for serum
IgA anti-
tissue transglutaminase antibodies (TTGA),
IgA antibodies against deamidated
gliadin peptides(
DGPA) and
IgG against deamidated
gliadin peptides (DGPG). Dietary habits, lifestyle and demographic characteristics were compared in subgroups. Results: The seroprevalence of
celiac disease in susceptible population was 0.94% (95%CI 0.54%-1.64%) including 0.08% (1/1 273) for TTGA, 0.47% (6/1 273) for
DGPA, and 0.39% (5/1 273) for DGPG. The seropositive rate was 3.6% (1/28) in patients with
psoriasis, 2.1% (2/95) in the low BMI group, 1.9% (1/53) in T1DM group, 1.8% (3/169) in
diarrhea group and 1.1% (5/463) in RA group. No significant difference was found in age, gender, high
carbohydrate diet or lifestyle between the negative and the positive subjects. Conclusions: In Southern China, the seropositive rate of
celiac disease is 0.94% in susceptible population, which prompts an urgent need of serological screening for early diagnosis.