Prevalence of Celiac Disease among First-Degree Relatives of Patients with Celiac Disease in Mazandaran Province, Iran

Background and purpose: Celiac disease is a gluten-dependent autoimmune disorder that develops in genetically susceptible individuals and causes damage to the small intestinal villi, leading to nutrient malabsorption. The disease may present with gastrointestinal and extraintestinal manifestations or remain asymptomatic, particularly among first-degree relatives of affected patients.

Materials and methods