Coeliac Disease
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Expert Reviewers
Dr John Wyeth, Gastroenterologist and Clinical Director of Medicine, Capital & Coast DHB
Dr Richard Steele, Clinical Immunologist and Immunopathologist, Wellington Hospital and Aotea Pathology
Dr Simon Chin, Paediatric Gastroenterologist, Starship Hospital
Summary Points
- Coeliac disease is a common but often unrecognised disorder, affecting about 1 in 100 of the general population. Prevalence in those with a first-degree relative with coeliac disease is about 1 in 10
- Many people presenting with coeliac disease have vague or non-specific symptoms and gastrointestinal symptoms may even be absent
- Coeliac disease causes inflammation of the small intestine which may affect absorption of important nutrients including iron, folic acid, calcium and fat soluble vitamins
- The diagnosis of coeliac disease should be considered in a wide range of clinical situations
- Appropriate initial tests for coeliac disease are anti-tTG and a total IgA level. The gold standard for diagnosis is duodenal biopsy
- A zero gluten diet in children usually results in complete remission. In adults, the amount of gluten that can be tolerated is variable. Symptomatically some adults are sensitive to extremely small amounts of gluten, while others can tolerate low levels (page 4)
- Untreated coeliac disease can be associated with the development of long term health problems although some patients remain completely asymptomatic
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