Serum Anti TTG Level as a Predictor for Severity of Iintestinal Damage in Children with Celiac Disease

Background: This study aimed at evaluating how the patient’s clinical manifestations and his/her anti TTG level are correlated with the intensity of histological damage based on the classification of Marsh Oberhuber.Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on ۱۸۶ children suspected of celiac disease who referred to gastroenterology clinics between ۲۰۱۴ and ۲۰۱۵ and had Anti TTG >۲۰. All patients underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and multiple biopsies of duodenum were taken; histological classification was performed based on Marsh Oberhuber criteria. Finally, the relationship between serum levels of Anti TTG and histologic findings was assessed based on Marsh Oberhuber criteria.Results: There was a statistically significant difference between Anti TTG and different classes of grading March (P=۰.۰۱). Moreover, the intensity of intestinal damage based on Marsh Oberhuber criteria was significantly higher in children who had gastrointestinal complaints, the classic form of celiac disease and growth disorder. Anti TTG level of ۱۴۸ IU/ml was the best positive cutoff point suggested by the ROC. For anti TTG levels of ۱۴۸ IU/ml, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were ۴۶.۸%, ۸۲.۴%, ۹۱.۷%, and ۲۷.۲%, respectively.Conclusion: Anti TTG level of ۱۴۸ IU/ml has a high positive predictive value and a low negative predictive value for histologic changes more than grade ۱ in Marsh classification