The following was sent to me from Rio de Janeiro by Dr. José Cesar da Fonseca Junqueira. If you have any questions you can e-mail him at: cjunqueira@ax.apc.org.br

Rio de Janeiro - 05/27/96 - Celiac Disease. A Comparative study of two periods. Junqueira JC, Calçado AC, Percope S. 1996 Federal University of Rio de Janeiro Martagão Gesteira - Institute of Pediatrics. The aim of this study was to compare cases of celiac disease diagnosed in outpatients with malabsortion cases. The study was conducted at the Pediatric Gastroenterology Service of the Pediatric Institute Martagão Gesteira at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro Brazil. It was done in two phases: from 1975 -1984 and from 1985 - 1994 (group 1, N=31 and group 2, N=21). Patients were selected based on the results of jejunal biopsy (group IV) and the favorable reaction to a gluten free diet. Data from the first interview (age, sex, nutritional status and prevalent symptoms) were analyzed. The number of biopsies and the level of compliance with the diet were also observed. The data collected was processed in a computer using EPI INFO 6.03 (January 1996)as software. The frequency of celiac disease over the studied years was compared with international data. There were no significant differences between the two groups in our study. However, the cases free of gastroenterological symptoms (atypical CD) were not observed. The average age difference between the groups (group um X=24,39 months; group 2 X=32,03) was not statistically significant. A bigger study must be carried out to prove this theory. The analysis of nutritional status of the groups reveals the existence of severely undernourished patients. The number of biopsies and the level of compliance with diet were similar in the two groups. The decrease in the number of cases as well the increase in the age of patients were observed in group 2. These phenomena were probably due to a delayed exposure to gluten and to the expansion of the period of breast feeding. Other causes should be analyzed in a bigger research program. The conclusion of this study shows that there has been no change in the clinical features of the disease and points to the need for serological screening so that the entire spectrum of the disease can be established.

Both groups had malabsorption and were very under-nourished (over 45%). One patient was diagnosed as having diabetes Mellitus several years after and an other one is under investigation for poliarthrites. Serological investigation is not available in our country. The final conclusion is that we must have such serological screening to know the real spectrum of the disease. Adult celiac disease is not diagnosed in our country, mainly because the adult doctors do not know the full spectrum of celiac disease.

Ill be presenting this work as a thesis at the University on May 29, 1996.

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