---

Background & Objective: Studies about the prevalence of Celiac disease (CD) in western Asian countries are scarce and there is only one study on the prevalence of CD in healthy blood donors in Iran. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of CD in general population of the city of Sari in north of Iran. Materials & Methods: This was a descriptive study and the blood samples were obtained from 1438 person from general population (686 males, 752 females: Mean age 35.5 range 18-66 year) of the Sari which were selected by stratified randomized sampling method during 2003. Total serum IgA was measured in all and IgA-deficient cases were excluded. From this study all cases were analyzed for IgA tissue transglutaminase antibody (Human recombinant tTG). All persons who had a positive serology for tTG-Ab underwent small intestinal biopsy. The biopsy samples were classified according to modified Marsh criteria. Results: All of the samples had normal total IgA. 13 cases showed positive IgA-tTG Ab (6 males and 7 females, mean age 37.5 yrs). All subjects with positive serology except one of them were found to have small bowel biopsies compatible with gluten sensitive enteropathy. One of 13 had Marsh 0, 8/13 Marsh I, 3/13 Marsh II and 1/13 showed Marsh IIIa lesion. Conclusion: The minimum prevalence of gluten-sensitivity among general population in north of Iran is 1/120. This data confirms our study on healthy blood donors, which has published previously and is like of prevalence of Celiac disease in western countries. So Celiac disease is not a rare disease as it thought before in this area.

---

Celiac disease is one of the most common cause of malabsorbtion syndrom. The symptom of this disease associated secondary to malabsorbtive problems. Celiac can be accompanied with liver enzyme dysfunction with various extra intestinal findings. This case was a 27-year old man presented with abnormal liver function test over period of 1 year. He did not have another symptom such as diarrhea, weight loss or skin lesion. In medical examination, there was no ascites, peripheral edema or jaundice. Diagnostic re-examination of the paitent include serology tests and Viral hepatitis, Wilson disease and auto Imuune respones showed to be normal. Abdominal and biliary sonography had normal results. Liver biopsy revealed no sign of any pathology, but duodenal biopsy and serologic findings were compatible by Celiac disease. The symptom improved on a gluten-free diet and his liver enzyme function tests became normal subsequently.

---

Background and Objective: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most prevalent gastrointestinal disorder and is one the common conditions seen by gastroenterologists in their daily practice. This study was done to determine the prevalence of celiac disease in patients with irritable bowel syndrome in Ardabil-Iran. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted on 105 patients with IBS whome referred to the gastroenterology unit in Ardabil-Iran during 2009-10. Serum IgA anti tTG were measured all patients with positive for antibodies against tTG were candidated for upper endoscopy and biopsy. Data were analyzed using SPSS-16, t-test, Chi-Square and Fisher’s exact tests. Results: The average age of IBS subjects were 31.4±10.14 years (range 16-63 years). Celiac disease was diagnosed in 14 subjects (13.5%). The celiac patient age were 22-55 years with mean of 34.93±9.47. Among celiac afflicted patients IBS type D and M observed among 10 and 4 patients, respectivley. Celiac affected female constituted 12 (85.7%) of all patients (P<0.05). 10 of these patients were IBS-D and 4 with IBS-M. From 14 celiac patient 4 (28.57%) were family related, but this rate among IBS patient was 3.3%, this difference was significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that the prevalence of celiac in patients with IBS is found to be 13.5% which seem is more than ther studies in other parts of Iran.

---

Background and Objective: Celiac disease is a malabsorption disorder that could result in various psychological consequences if patients do not adhere to a gluten-free diet. This study aimed to determine the frequency of major depressive disorder and its relationship with adherence to a gluten-free diet among patients with celiac disease.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 47 patients with celiac disease (30 women and 17 men) with an average age of 40.88 ± 10.7 years who had been referred to the Golestan Research Center of Gastroenterology and Hepatology during the summer of 2019. Patients were invited to complete a 13-item Beck Inventory. Celiac Dietary Adherence Test (CDAT) was used to assess adherence from the patients' point of view, and Standardized Dietician Evaluation (SDE) was used to evaluate adherence to the diet from the interviewer's perspective.
Results: Overall, 28 people (59.6%) with celiac disease reported some degree of depression. Based on the SDE, the adherence rate of patients to a gluten-free diet was 83%. The association between adherence to a gluten-free diet and the prevalence of depression was not significant. There was also no significant association between the prevalence of depression and the gender and age of patients.
Conclusion: Based on the results, a high percentage of patients with celiac disease have symptoms of depression. However, there is no significant relationship between adherence to a gluten-free diet and the prevalence of depression.