ABSTRACT
Northeastern Iran has a high incidence for squamous cell esophageal carcinoma [ESCC]. The aim of the study is to the assess relationship between celiac disease [CD] and ESCC. This was a two-part, cross-sectional, case-control study performed during 2006-2011 in Gonbad, Golestan, Iran. Serum IgA anti-tissue transglutaminase antibody levels were measured for all participants in the crosssectional study [adult general population] as well as in ESCC cases and their matched [age and gender] controls. Out of approximately 1.3% of the 2202 individuals selected from the general population, 0.8% of 258 ESCC cases and 0.2% of 457 controls had positive IgA anti-tissue transglutaminase antibody levels. The prevalence of CD in general population of Gonbad district is a little higher than other parts of Iran. Relatively low prevalence of IgA anti-tissue transglutaminase antibody in ESCC cases in northeastern Iran does not support the presumption that CD is a major factor for the high incidence of ESCC in the region. However, as there is little higher prevalence of positivity for the antibody in ESCC cases than in controls, a cohort study of Celiac disease patients is much more suitable study to assess the relation between CD and ESCC.