Celiac Disease in Adult Population in Tuzla Region of Bosnia and Herzegovina: a 3-year Surveillance (2007-2009)

Background: there is no epidemiological estimation of the incidence and prevalence of CD in the adult population in Bosnia and Herzegovina(B H), nor there are reports about the clinical presentation of CDin patients in B H. Aim: to assess the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of CDin the adult population in Tuzla Canton in northeast of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Methods: we retrospectively analyzed all hospital records of both adult inpatients and outpatients evaluated in University Clinical Center Tuzla, with suspected CD and residing in Tuzla Canton of B H between 1.1.2007 and 31.12.2009. Results: during the 3-year period we registered 42 cases of celiac disease (CD) with 31/42 (73.8%) of female and 11/42 (26.2%) of male patients – male to female ratio 1 to 2.82. The average annual crude incidence of CD during the observed period was 2.55/105 population (%95 CI=1.74-3.36). The average crude incidence in men was 1.51/105 and 4.08/105 in women. The average annual standardized incidence during the time period 2007-2009 was 1.89/105 (%95 CI=1.32-2.56).The sum prevalence during the study period was 7.66/105 population. Prevalence among men was 4.53/105 and 12.23/105 among women. Conclusions: The incidence of CD in our region is demonstrating a steep rise and apparently low prevalence in our region is merely a result of poor availability of diagnostics in previous years.