Background: While celiac disease (CeD) is known to occur in many regions on the plains, there is a lack of data on its prevalence in high altitude area of India.
Methods: We screened serum samples of 332 participants in Lahaul and Spiti district of (mean altitude >4000 meter) Himachal Pradesh, for the estimation of prevalence of CeD in high altitude area. The screening of CeD was done using commercially available IgA human anti-tissue transglutaminase antibody (anti-tTG Ab) ELISA kit.
Results: Of 332 samples (mean age 31.5±15.9 years) screened, two were found to have a positive anti-tTG Ab at low titre, suggesting a seroprevalence of 0.6%.
Conclusions: The seroprevalence of CeD in high altitude area is 0.6%, almost equal to the rest of the country. The physicians working in high altitude areas need to be aware about CeD in their communities.