Celiac Disease Facts

• Celiac disease is a chronic, life-long, systemic autoimmune disease that occurs in genetically susceptible individuals
• Celiac disease is associated with certain genes on Chromosome 6 (HLA genotype DQ2 or DQ8) that are responsible for regulating the body's immune response to gluten
• Approximately 1%-2% of the U.S. and worldwide population are affected with celiac disease
• In patients with celiac disease, local damage to the intestine is caused by an autoimmune reaction triggered by ingestion of gluten
• Systemic autoimmune inflammation and tissue damage
• Gluten is the common term for a set of proteins that come from grains, such as wheat, rye, and barley
• Intestines damaged by the immunological reaction to gluten do not function correctly, leading to inadequate absorption of nutrients and a wide range of clinical symptoms
• Celiac disease symptoms can appear at any time during a person's life; initial onset can be in childhood/adolescence or in adulthood
• Common symptoms of celiac disease include:
  • Abdominal pain, bloating, gas
  • Diarrhea, constipation or both
  • Weight loss
  • Anemia
  • Very itchy, blistering, skin rash, frequently found on the face, elbows, knees and buttocks (dermatitis herpetiformis)
  • Elevated liver enzyme levels
  • Hair loss
• Celiac disease can result in serious long-term side consequences:
  • Bone abnormalities (osteoporosis)- increased risk of fracture
  • Failure to thrive in infants
  • Delayed growth in children
  • Infertility, miscarriage, birth defects
  • Cancer (lymphoma, adenocarcinoma can develop in the intestine)
  • Other autoimmune diseases
  • Increased mortality
• The only currently available intervention for celiac disease is a strict gluten-free diet.
• Adherence to a gluten-free diet is very difficult because gluten is a "hidden" ingredient in most processed foods; for example, frozen vegetables in sauce, self-basting turkey, cold cuts, seasoned tortilla chips, artificial and natural flavors, sauces, cooking ingredients, etc. may contain gluten.
• It is very important for patients with celiac disease to read the ingredient labels on all food items to make sure the item does not include any gluten-containing ingredients. However, many sources of gluten remain unlabeled and are hidden in foods
• Certain cosmetics and medications also contain gluten
• Gluten can be present in foods that are, themselves, gluten-free as a result of cross-contamination or contact with gluten-containing foods during preparation, cooking, or storage