TalkImproving Diagnosis of Celiac Disease
In July, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) held a Celiac Disease Awareness Campaign to tell the public about this disease that affects an estimated 1 percent of all Americans. Lisa’s previous post gives a summary of the symptoms of celiac disease and coping strategies.
The main message is this: people with celiac disease exhibit an autoimmune response to gluten, which is a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. There are both genetic and non-genetic (environmental) factors involved in acquiring celiac disease, evidenced by the fact that 70% of identical twins both have celiac disease (since the concordance is not 100%, it is known that there are environmental factors involved as well). According to some gastroenterologists, first-degree relatives of someone with celiac disease are recommended to get endomysial antibody blood tests.
The campaign is picking up again this October, which is the official Celiac Awareness Month and is hosted by the Celiac Sprue Association (CSA). One main goal of the CSA is to advocate for early diagnosis among physicians and healthcare professionals.
- Learn more about the Gluten-Free Lifestyle.
- Join in the awareness and advocacy effort by writing a letter to a food manufacturer explaining the need for expanded ingredient labeling.
- “Celiac disease is far more common than thought” (February 2003, University of Chicago Hospitals)
Technorati Tags: celiac disease, celiac sprue, awareness month, treatment, environmental factors, genes, family history
January 17th, 2009 at 10:24 am
My son was diagnosed with Celiac Disease, one week before he turned 2. He is now almost 3, and his Dr. feels strongly that my husband has it. He is 30 years old, and weighs 105 lbs. as a child he had many food alergies, and now he eats like a horse, but cannot gain weight. He was diagnosed with ADD as a child and adult. I have read a few things saying, some children were mis-diagnosed with ADD as children, who actually had Celiac Disease, is this true?
January 20th, 2009 at 7:42 pm
Sort of…studies have found that many children and adults with celiac disease also have attention deficit disorder (ADD). So, the diagnosis of ADD in your husband may not be wrong, but it might be only part of the puzzle. Also, the genetic factors that are part of celiac disease mean that the parent or sibling of someone who has celiac disease has a higher chance of also having celiac disease. It’s a good thought by your son’s doctor - maybe he or she can recommend someone to evaluate your husband.
Erin Nicholas
Sr. Genetic Counselor
DNA Direct