SIMPLIFYING THE DIAGNOSIS OF COELIAC DISEASE; A recent experience with two different rapid tests

Key words: Coeliac disease, Rapid test,Sensitivity and specificity

The Authors evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of two commercial rapid tests for the diagnosis of coeliac disease (CD). These assays were compared to a well-established ELISA technique. Serum samples were analyzed from 114 biopsy-confirmed CD, 120 healthy controls, 20 first-degree relatives of CD, and 75 diseased controls. The whole blood samples were analyzed from 51 biopsy-confirmed coeliacs and 100 controls. The serum-based test was positive in all 114 coeliacs (sensitivity 100%). Among the controls there were seven healthy blood donors, one first-degree relative, and three affected controls who tested positive (specificity 94.9%). The rapid test was positive in 46 out of 51 (sensitivity 90.2%). All 100 controls tested negative (specificity 100%). The commercial kits described produce high values of sensitivity and specificity, offering the general practitioner a useful tool to look for anti-h-tTG antibodies in his own medical office.