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Gluten-linked celiac disease is more common than previously thought

Eds: 'Dr. B U.K. Li' in last graf is cq.

By LINDSEY TANNER, AP Medical Writer

CHICAGO - Celiac disease, a severe digestive disorder triggered by
gluten in wheat and other grains, is more common among Americans than
previously thought, affecting more than 1.5 million people, a study
suggests.

Researchers from the University of Maryland, the University of Chicago
and other institutions took blood samples from 13,145 mostly white
adults and children, including nearly 9,000 people considered at risk
for celiac because of symptoms or family history. Intestinal biopsies
confirmed the diagnosis.

The disease was present in one out of 22 people who had a close relative
with celiac and in one out of 133 participants who were not at risk.

Previous research suggested the disease occurred in about one in 4,000
people nationwide.

The new findings suggest that more than 1.5 million Americans are
afflicted, the researchers said.

Sometimes called celiac sprue and often mistaken for other ailments, the
disease can raise the risk of gastrointestinal cancer if left untreated.

The new findings - published in Monday's Archives of Internal Medicine -
could lead to quicker diagnosis of the ailment, the researchers said.

"If physicians believe that celiac disease is rare, they are less likely
to test for it," said lead researcher Dr. Alessio Fasano of the
University of Maryland.

Many doctors have considered celiac a childhood ailment, with symptoms
including diarrhea, vomiting, gas and weight loss. But it can show up at
all ages, sometimes with non-digestive symptoms such as anemia and
thinning bones, partly caused by the body's inability to absorb proper
nutrients.

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley and other grains.

Dr. B U.K. Li, chief of gastroenterology at Chicago's Children's
Memorial Hospital, said the study is a call for doctors to be "much more
aware of this and much more willing to screen our patients who have a
variety of symptoms."

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On the Net:

Archives: http://www.archinternmed.com

Celiac Disease Foundation: http://www.celiac.org

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