- Total IgA
- Anti-tissue transglutaminase antibody - IgA
Screening for coeliac disease is based on the measurement of serum anti-transglutaminase IgA antibodies, as this provides a high sensitivity (true positive rate). If there is a selective IgA deficiency, which is 20 times more frequent in coeliacs, IgG class antibodies (anti-transglutaminase, anti-endomysial or anti-gliadin deamidated peptides) will be assessed. In turn, this deficit must be confirmed with the rest of the immunoglobulins. According to the Spanish Society of Digestive Pathology, around 78% of the population is not yet diagnosed with coeliac disease, which means 1 in 357 adults in Spain and 1 in 71 children. Given its high prevalence and under-diagnosis, early detection is necessary.