4 things to know about Celiac Disease

Did you know that 1 in 100 people in North India suffers from Celiac Disease?

Celiac Disease is a global disease that affects almost 0.7% of the world s population. In India, about 6 to 8 million Indians are estimated to suffer from this disease, and its prevalence in the North Indian community is 1 in 100. In a bid to discuss and explore the best ways to address the challenges faced by patients with celiac disease and the way forward, the 17th International Celiac Disease Symposium (ICDS) is being organized from 8th to 10th September 2017. Dr Govind Makharia, Organizing Chairman and Professor, Department of Gastroenterology and Human Nutrition, AllMS, New Delhi, suggests that Celiac disease is not reported extensively in India. Celiac disease very common. The biggest impediment in its prevention and treatment is the limited awareness about the disease and its causes. Here are few points you need to know about celiac diseases that have been discussed in the symposium.

1. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that occurs because of ingestion of a protein, called gluten, which is present in the cereals - wheat and barley. In these patients, the gluten protein is not digested completely and that leads to damage to the small intestinal mucosa (where food is absorbed). With the damage of small intestine, the food is not absorbed and thus, these patients fail to grow in height and weight, develop chronic diarrhoea, anaemia (lack of blood) and weakness of bones. Management of celiac disease involves a gluten-free diet primarily. Also read about how can celiac disease patients have a well-balanced Indian diet?

2. The study conducted by AIIMS (Makharia GK, et al) in 2011 including 2879 subjects revealed that 1 in 100 have celiac disease (1.04%). Later in a country-wide study (multicenter) including 23,000 apparently healthy subjects, it was observed that 0.6% (1 in 160) had celiac disease, being more common in Northern part of India (1.2%; 1 in 90), and North-Eastern part of India (0.8%; 1 in 130) and much less common in Southern part of India (0.1%; 1 in 1000).

3. It has been found that genetics has a major role in the prevalence of this disease. One-third of Indians have genetic susceptibility to develop celiac disease. Hence, children are equally susceptible to it because of its genetic susceptibility. Lack of awareness is a major impediment and due to this, it often goes undiagnosed. The need of the hour is to increase awareness among people and physicians alike.

4.There are many highly sensitive and specific serological tests, anti-endomysial antibody and anti-tissue transglutaminase antibody assays, available today which can help in the detection of this condition. However, it is alarming to note that currently, only those with the most typical manifestations are checked and ultimately diagnosed to have the disease, explains Dr B S Ramakrishna, Director, Institute of Gastroenterology, SIMS Hospital, Chennai. Here are 3 signs you must get tested for Celiac disease and go gluten free.

Image Source: Shutterstock