UK Sees Four-fold Uptick in Celiac Disease Diagnoses

Over the past two decades a four-fold increase is seen in the rate of diagnosed cases of celiac diseases in the United Kingdom.

Celiac disease is one of the major public health issues. According to the researchers at the University of Nottingham, there has been a rise in the rate of diagnosed cases of celiac diseases in the United Kingdom. But despite this, nearly three quarter people with celiac disease remain undiagnosed and a failure to identify celiac disease triggers a lifetime of health problems. 

Based on the previous estimates of The National Institute of Health & Care Excellence (NICE), just 10-15 percent of the people with celiac disease remain diagnosed.  But this latest research led by Dr Joe West from University of Nottingham, reveals that there has been a 24 percent rise in the level of diagnoses.

Intolerance to gluten causes the autoimmune disease called celiac disease. Left untreated, this condition further causes infertility, osteoporosis and small bowel cancer.  This finding comes in time as this month is Celiac Disease Awareness Month.

 According to the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness, about 1 in 133 Americans suffer from this disease and it affects both men and women across all ages and races. In America, 83 percent of those who have celiac disease remain undiagnosed.

The only remedy is to strictly adhere to a gluten free diet.  Gluten a protein found in wheat, rye and barley. Ingestion of these food varieties causes celiac disease.

With the help of diagnostic codes, the researchers identified the people who were diagnosed during the study period for celiac disease. 

"This latest research shows that nearly a quarter of people with celiac disease have now been diagnosed and gives an up to date picture of the diagnosis levels across the UK. Of course, increasing numbers with a diagnosis is good news and will inevitably mean that there will be an increased demand for gluten-free products in supermarkets. But the three quarters undiagnosed is around 500,000 people -- a shocking statistic that needs urgent action," said Sarah Sleet, Chief Executive of Celiac UK.

Symptoms of celiac disease vary from person to person and may either be too mild or too severe.  Any region of the body can be affected and it is not necessary that all those affected must experience gut related symptoms.   Celiac disease is known to cause bloating, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, constipation and wind and other common symptoms like tiredness, anemia, headache and mouth ulcers, weight loss, skin problems, depression and joint or bone problem.

The finding was reported by The American Journal of Gastroenterology.