Premium
Issues associated with the emergence of coeliac disease in the A sia– P acific region: A working party report of the W orld G astroenterology O rganization and the A sian P acific A ssociation of G astroenterology
Author(s) -
Makharia Govind K,
Mulder Chris J J,
Goh Khean Lee,
Ahuja Vineet,
Bai Julio C,
Catassi Carlo,
Green Peter H R,
Gupta Siddhartha Datta,
Lundin Knut E A,
Ramakrishna Balakrishnan Siddartha,
Rawat Ramakant,
Sharma Hanish,
Sood Ajit,
Watanabe Chikako,
Gibson Peter R
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of gastroenterology and hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.214
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1440-1746
pISSN - 0815-9319
DOI - 10.1111/jgh.12514
Subject(s) - coeliac disease , medicine , population , disease , epidemiology , family medicine , environmental health
Background and Aim Once thought to be uncommon in A sia, coeliac disease ( CD ) is now being increasingly recognized in A sia– P acific region. In many A sian nations, CD is still considered to be either nonexistent or very rare. In recognition of such heterogeneity of knowledge and awareness, the W orld G astroenterology O rganization and the A sian P acific A ssociation of G astroenterology commissioned a working party to address the key issues in emergence of CD in A sia. Methods A working group consisting of members from A sia– P acific region, E urope, N orth A merica, and S outh A merica reviewed relevant existing literature with focus on those issues specific to A sia– P acific region both in terms of what exists and what needs to be done. Results The working group identified the gaps in epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of CD in A sian– P acific region and recommended the following: to establish prevalence of CD across region, increase in awareness about CD among physicians and patients, and recognition of atypical manifestations of CD . The challenges such as variability in performance of serological tests, lack of population‐specific cut‐offs values for a positive test, need for expert dietitians for proper counseling and supervision of patients, need for gluten‐free infrastructure in food supply and creation of patient advocacy organizations were also emphasized. Conclusions Although absolute number of patients with CD at present is not very large, this number is expected to increase over the next few years or decades. It is thus appropriate that medical community across the A sia– P acific region define extent of problem and get prepared to handle impending epidemic of CD .