A STATISTICAL STUDY OF THE PREVALENCE OF CELIAC DISEASE IN ADULTS IN TWO SYRIAN GOVERNORATES (HOMS- TARTOUS) DURING THE PERIOD OF 2014-2022

Celiac disease is a multisystem immune based disorder that is triggered by the ingestion of gluten in genetically susceptible individuals. Our study was limited to a survey of the prevalence of Celiac disease in adult in two Syrian governorates (Homs and Tartous), Statistics were collected from hospitals and clinics of gastroenterologists and nutritionists, during the period of 2014-2022. 4000 cases of Celiac disease were recorded in these two Syrian governorates with a population of about 5 million people with ages ranging from 20-33, that is 0.08% in these cases. The presence of HLA class II antigens was observed in all people with Celiac disease as HLA DQ2 was found in 82% of celiac disease patients, and HLA DQ8 was found in the rest. It is very important that follow-up showed that the results of antibody tests (Transglutaminase IgA) in patients adhering to the gluten-free diet decreased from 200 to 100 “during a year of treatment” and to 20 “during two years of treatment” in all patients. The decrease in antibodies was accompanied by a clear improvement in the absorption of iron and other elements, and a good improvement in the growth of intestinal villi in patients who underwent intestinal biopsies. In the absence of Celiac disease many people identifying themselves as “being gluten sensitive”. The biological basis of gluten induced symptoms in the absence of Celiac disease is largely unknown but may be related to immune responses to components of wheat apart from gluten.