Improving the detection of coeliac disease

Practitioner. 2016 Jul-Aug;260(1795):13-7.

Abstract

The common presentation of coeliac disease has shifted from the historically classical symptoms of malabsorption in childhood to non-classical symptoms in adulthood such as irritable bowel syndrome-type symptoms, anaemia, chronic fatigue, change in bowel habit, abdominal pain and osteoporosis. A combination of coeliac serology and duodenal biopsy is required to diagnose coeliac disease in adults. Testing for IgA-tissue transglutaminase antibodies should be carried out as a first-line screening test. Advise patients to eat a gluten-containing diet for six weeks before their investigations to ensure the serological and histological results are not affected. A confirmatory duodenal biopsy is mandatory to ensure that patients are correctly diagnosed with coeliac disease. A lifelong strict gluten-free diet is the only effective treatment currently available. All patients should be referred to a specialist dietitian for guidance and support. Annual follow-up can begin when the disease is stable and patients are managing well on their diet.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Celiac Disease / diagnosis*
  • Celiac Disease / diet therapy
  • Celiac Disease / immunology*
  • Celiac Disease / pathology
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin A / blood*
  • Intestinal Mucosa / pathology
  • Intestine, Small / pathology
  • Transglutaminases / immunology

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Immunoglobulin A
  • Transglutaminases