Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune enteropathy triggered by the ingestion of dietary gluten from some cereals mainly in individuals carrying the HLA-DQ2 and/or HLA-DQ8 haplotypes. As an autoimmune disease, CD is manifested in the small intestine in the form of a progressive and reversible inflammatory lesion due to immune response to self-antigens. Indeed, CD is one of the most challenging medicosocial problems in current gastroenterology. At present, the global CD prevalence is estimated at approximately 1% based on data sent from different locations and available CD screening strategies used. However, it is impossible to estimate global CD prevalence without all the data from the world, including Russia. In this review, we summarize the data on the incidence and prevalence of CD across geographically distinct regions of Russia, which are mostly present in local Russian scientific sources. Our conclusion is that the situation of CD prevalence in Russia is higher than is commonly believed and follows global tendencies that correspond to the epidemiologic situation in Europe, America, and Southwest Asia.

Coeliac disease (CD) is an autoimmune enteropathy triggered by the ingestion of gluten-containing grains in genetically predisposed individuals. Identification of CD in clinical practice is often difficult due to the manifestation of non-specific symptoms and signs, so a relatively significant proportion of CD cases remain undiagnosed. Timely detection of the disease is necessary to provide an appropriate approach to control of the disease treatment, in order to avoid potential complications. This is even more important in the case of children and adolescents, to ensure their proper growth and development. In this review, we discuss the data on the current strategies for CD detection among paediatric populations and the role of questionnaire-based discovery of CD cases in the area of interest. We assume that mass screening is a preferable strategy for finding CD cases within the paediatric population because this could uncover symptomatic, oligosymptomatic, and asymptomatic CD cases. However, under conditions of limited financial resources, screening for CD in risk groups, members of which can be identified using questionnaires, is essential. The pros and cons of CD screening in paediatric populations are presented. These depend on a number of situational criteria (cost-effectiveness, lack of awareness), but screening is designed to improve the detection of the disease and therefore improve the quality of life of patients.

Objective: To evaluate parental attitudes towards vaccination in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), assess the level of adherence to immunization schedules, and identify key barriers hindering vaccination. Materials and Methods: A comparative survey was conducted involving 215 respondents, divided into an IBD group (109 parents of children with IBD) and a control group (106 parents of healthy children). The majority of respondents were mothers (96%) with higher education (81% and 79%, respectively) residing in a major metropolitan area. We assessed demographic data, vaccination history of both children and parents, sources of medical information, and reasons for vaccine refusal. Results: Routine vaccination coverage in children under 6 years of age was high and comparable in both groups (>93%). The majority of parents in the IBD group (n = 68; 62%) expressed a positive attitude towards vaccination. However, following the onset of IBD, only 24 (22%) continued vaccination, while 85 (78%) reported a categorical refusal to continue immunization. It was found that parents tend to misinterpret normal post-vaccination reactions as vaccine complications. A significant factor contributing to refusal is the lack of information from attending physicians and reliance on the Internet as a primary information source. Additionally, low rates of adult revaccination were noted, with over 30% of parents in both groups not being vaccinated in adulthood. Conclusions: The low vaccination rate in children with IBD after disease onset is driven not by initial anti-vaccination sentiment, but by acquired fears and a lack of professional communication from primary care providers and specialists. Improving immunization coverage requires the active implementation of educational programs for parents regarding vaccine safety during immunosuppressive therapy, as well as the development of specific guidelines for attending physicians.

Objective. Examination of schoolchildren in Moscow using a specially designed questionnaire to identify children at risk of developing celiac disease. Patients and methods. The study enrolled 3070 Moscow schoolchildren aged 7–18 years old. Serological and genetic examinations were performed in 42 children at risk for celiac disease, including determination of IgA and IgE to wheat, IgA and IgG to tissue transglutaminase, and IgA to endomysium. Molecular HLA testing for alleles that predispose to celiac disease was conducted. Endoscopic and morphological diagnostics were performed when indicated. Results. The risk group for celiac disease amounted to 10.2% of all schoolchildren surveyed. According to the results of the questionnaire, children in the risk group significantly more often had abdominal pain, excess gas, bloating, flatulence, dyspeptic complaints (diarrhea, constipation, vomiting), asthma attacks or other forms of allergies, headache, joint or body pain, fatigue and weakness, mood swings, depression, anxiety, or episodes of emotional arousal. Changes in height, weight, delayed physical or sexual development, dental enamel defects, and skin rashes were also noted. Of the 42 children in the risk group, the DQ2 heterodimer was detected in 13 (31%) children, the DQ8 heterodimer – in 2 (4.8%), and a combination of DQ2 and DQ8 heterodimers – in 1 (2.4%). Thus, characteristic HLA haplotypes were identified in 38% of the examined children. Three children had IgA antibodies to tissue transglutaminase (at >10 norm) and IgA anti-endomysium antibody titers. Conclusion. The method of questioning by means of a specially designed questionnaire for school-age children allows to identify individuals at risk of developing celiac disease. According to serological, genetic, endoscopic, and morphological investigations, the incidence of celiac disease among children at risk was 7.1%. The prevalence of celiac disease among school-age children in Moscow corresponds to global trends, amounting to 0.7%. Key words: questionnaire, gluten-free diet, cereals, gluten intolerance, celiac disease, children