[Tissue trans-glutaminase antibody in inflammatory bowel disease in golestan province, Northern Iran [2005-08]]

Celiac is a hereditary disease presented with chronic inflammation of small intestine. Several studies supposed a relationship between Celiac disease and Inflammatory Bowel Disease [IBD]. Tissue trans-glutaminase antibody is one of the best serological markers in Celiac disease. This study was designed to evaluate the association of Celiac and IBD using tissue trans-glutaminase antibody. In this descriptive study 127 confirmed IBD patients who were referred by gastroentrologists 2005-08 enrolled into the study. A questionnaire was completed and tissue trans-glutaminase antibody was evaluated with ELISA method with a Cut-off=12 U/ml. Among 127 referred patients, serum samples of 102 patients were collected. Mean +/- SD of age was 36.17 +/- 15.2 years and 48% were males. Ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease and other colitis were observed in 76 [74.5%], 7 [6.9%] and 19 [18.6%] of patients, respectively. Tissue trans-glutaminase antibody was positive [19.8 U/L] in one 46-years-old male patient with ulcerative colitis. Tissue trans-glutaminase antibody titer was not significantly different between IBD patients and controls, thus it seems not appropriate to suggest as one of the routine tests in IBD patients

[Prevalence of congenital abnormalities in familial and non-familial marriage]

Several studies have indicated that compared to non-familial marriage, familial marriage would increase the incidence of congenital abnormalities. Since the rate of consanguinity marriage is high in our country, this study was performed to determine the prevalence of congenital anomalies between familial and non-familial marriage. For this analytic descriptive study, 928 couples were participated as the population of this investigation. Of them, 358 were familial-marriage couples and 570 were non-familial-marriage couples. We evaluted the variables such as parents age, familial and non-familial marriage rate and rates of congenital abnormalities between both groups. Both the questionnaire and face to face interview technique were applied in this study. Congenital anomalies were identified in 26 [7.26%] children of familial marriage group and 11[1.92%] ones in non-familial marriage group. The average rate of consanguineous marriage in this study was found to be 38.57%. Considering that the rate of congenital anomalies in familial marriage was more than that of non-familial marriage, it seems that it is essential to consult and teach families and young couples about the risks of familial marriage