Celiac disease, or intolerance to gluten (a protein present in cereals) is a poorly understood disease. It has been estimated that 1% of the population is affected, although it is rarely diagnosed. A study was carried out in two neighboring towns in the north of Sweden. This is the first endoscopic study of a general population which examined the proportion and characteristics of celiac disease by comparing histology and serology, confirmed by genetics.

This study, the only one of its kind worldwide, showed that the proportion of affected persons was higher than estimated, close to 2%, and that the disease is most often asymptomatic (silent). The association of different diagnostic tests (both serological and histological) would appear to be indispensable for diagnosing the persons affected. In contrast, it remains to be determined how the most “silent” celiac diseases evolve in order to decide whether further tests need to be carried out.

Reference:

Walker MM, Murray JA, Ronkainen J, Aro P, Storskrubb T, D'Amato M, Lahr B, Talley NJ, Agreus L. Detection of Celiac Disease and Lymphocytic Enteropathy by Parallel Serology and Histopathology in a Population-Based Study. Gastroenterology. 2010 Apr 13. [Epub ahead of print].