TO DETERMINE THE INCIDENCE OF CELIAC DISEASE (CD) IN PATIENTS HAVING NUTRITIONAL ANEMIAS: DESCRIPTIVE CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract: Introduction: Celiac disease (CD) is a gluten sensitive enteropathy characterized by villous atrophy of the small intestine in genetically susceptible individuals. Anemia is frequently seen in celiac disease owing to greatly reduced iron, folic acid and B12 absorption. Objectives: The aim is to determine the frequency of celiac disease in patients presenting with nutritional anemias. Study design: Descriptive cross-sectional study Place and Duration: The study was conducted in department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Hospital Lahore for the duration of 12 months from, December 2018 to November 2019. Methodology: Non-probability purposive sampling technique was used for selection of the patients. 100 consecutive patients presenting with nutritional anemia were enrolled. Complete hematologic workup was done including blood complete picture (CP), peripheral smear, iron, folate and B12 levels. Anemia was defined as Hb <13 g/dL in males and