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Coeliac disease: an overview of the diagnosis, treatment and management
Author(s) -
Mendoza N.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
nutrition bulletin
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.933
H-Index - 40
eISSN - 1467-3010
pISSN - 1471-9827
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-3010.2005.00513.x
Subject(s) - coeliac disease , medicine , gluten , disease , gluten free , population , biopsy , osteoporosis , gastroenterology , pathology , environmental health
Summary Coeliac disease is a common chronic disease in the UK and across Europe, affecting 1% of the population. Similar prevalence rates have also been reported elsewhere where cereals containing gluten are a staple in the diet. The symptoms are diverse and affect many organ systems of the body, not just the gastrointestinal tract. Blood tests have been developed to screen for coeliac disease but a small intestinal biopsy is required to confirm the diagnosis. Both tests require the patient to be following a gluten‐containing diet. Once diagnosed with coeliac disease the treatment is the gluten‐free diet, which must be adhered to for life, and involves removal of wheat, rye, barley (and derivatives of these cereals) from the diet. Some people with coeliac disease also avoid oats. Undiagnosed coeliac disease can increasee the risk of both malignant and non‐malignant complications, with gut lymphoma and osteoporosis being two of the most common complications; the risk of both is reduced by early diagnosis and strict adherence to the gluten‐free diet.