CELIAC DISEASE FROM THE VIEW OF GENERAL PEDIATRICISTS: A PILOT STUDY

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.1594352409046

• Palavras-chave: Celiac Disease; Pediatricians; Early diagnosis; Child; Adolescent.

• Keywords: Celiac Disease; Pediatricians; Early diagnosis; Child; Adolescent.

• Abstract:

  Objective: To evaluate knowledge about celiac disease among pediatricians at a University Hospital in a Brazilian city. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study, with application of a questionnaire on clinical manifestations and diagnosis of celiac disease to pediatricians and pediatric residents of a university hospital, between March and August 2023. The data obtained were plotted in Excel to characterize the sample and analyze the responses. Results: The questionnaire was answered by 33 pediatricians and pediatric residents. The symptoms most related to celiac disease were chronic abdominal pain (100%), abdominal distension (100%), chronic diarrhea (96.97%) and failure to thrive (87.88%). Regarding risk factors for investigating celiac disease in children and adolescents, 1st and 2nd degree relatives with celiac disease (84.85%) and selective IgA deficiency (75.76%) were most chosen. For initial screening, 75.76% chose the antitransglutaminase IgA serological test and total IgA measurement. When asked to select the correct alternative, 63.63% believe that duodenal biopsy is the gold standard for diagnostic confirmation. 42.42% indicated that symptomatic patients, with antitransglutaminase antibodies above 10 times the upper limit, are diagnosed without biopsy, 54.54% stated that it is necessary to measure IgG antiendomysial antibodies in patients with IgA deficiency and 57.57% believe it is important genetic test to exclude false negatives. Discussion: The results show that, despite demonstrating general knowledge about the disease, pediatricians still place little value on atypical symptoms and are not familiar with current guidelines, which corroborates underdiagnosis.