Long Term Treatment of Adult Celiac Patients: Low Control and Indices of Intestinal Mucosa Status.

was to evaluate abdominal US in a large series of adult celiac patients and controls.METHODS Prospective study: 135 adult CD patients (age 29,3::!:1O,1) and 111 controls (age 30,1::!:11,4) chosen among spouses and/or friends of patients (January 1998 -October 1999).Thirty-seven CD patients were seen before starting gluten free diet (untreated).Treated patients were on gluten free diet since 5,82::!:6,89 yr.All patients underwent to abdominal US and assay of hemoglobin, ALT, AST, OOT, AP, cholesterol, and EMA.CD patients underwent also to intestinal biopsy.RESULTS Main findings are shown in the table.Liver steatosis directly correlated with severity of intestinal mucosa alterations in both untreated and treated CD patients and inversely to cholesterol values (p=0.05) and body weight (p=0,053).In controls steatosis was directly related to body weight and plasma cholesterol (p=0,042).In all groups the presence of steatosis was significantly related to ALT values (p=0,02).CONCLU-SIONS Abdominal US discloses higher prevalence of abnormalities in liver,spleen,kidneys and intestine of celiac patients compared to controls.Liver steatosis is suggested to be a marker of malabsorption also in treated patients.No US sign can be considered specific of CD.Nevertheless, our data indicate that abdominal US can be a useful non-invasive tool in managing adult CD patients. Percent prevalence ofmain US findings inceliac patients and controls UntreatedTreated Controls