D-Xylose, fat load test and antigliadin antibody in children with coeliac disease.
OBJECTIVE
To study the clinical pattern of coeliac disease in children living in the northwest coast of Libya, to investigate the sensitivity and specificity of D-Xylose, fat load test and antigliadin antibody and their correlation to each other and changes in jejunal biopsy.


METHODS
A 4 year prospective study began in 1993. It includes all suspected coeliacs referred to our department for further evaluation. All have suction jejunal biopsy using Crosby capsule performed for diagnosis, screened at the same time with one hour D-Xylose, 3-5 hours urinary D-Xylose, fat load test and antigliadin antibody and followed up for 2-4 years.


RESULTS
The mean age at presentation was 8 years. There was no significant correlation between D-Xylose, fat load test and antigliadin antibody. Antigliadin antibody has 87.5% sensitivity and 50% specificity in this study. Three hours urinary D-Xylose has 93% sensitivity where as one hour D-Xylose has 82% sensitivity and only 25% specificity, whereas fat load test has 69% sensitivity.


CONCLUSIONS
Blood and urinary D-Xylose and fat load tests are not useful for diagnosing coeliac disease. They have no correlation to each other or to jejunal histology. Antigliadin antibody is superior to the above tests.
Amara
M K
MK
Department of Pediatrics, Alkadra Teaching Hospital, Tripoli, Libya.
Sagher
F A
FA
D000293:Adolescent; D000906:Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005217:Fat Emulsions, Intravenous; D005903:Gliadin / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007583:Jejunum / Q000473:pathology; D008002:Libya; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D014994:Xylose / Q000378:metabolism
D000906:Antibodies; D005217:Fat Emulsions, Intravenous; D014280:Triglycerides; D005903:Gliadin; D014994:Xylose