Coeliac disease affects the small intestine and is due to a sensitivity to gluten, which is a protein found in wheat. Similar proteins are found in rye, barley and, to a much smaller extent, oats. Symptoms may occur at any age and may include weight loss, vomiting and diarrhoea. Many patients, however, may have mild, long-standing, non-gastrointestinal symptoms such as tiredness, lethargy and breathlessness. A baby predisposed to coeliac disease could, after the introduction of gluten-containing solids, develop pale, bulky, offensive smelling stools, and become miserable, lethargic and generally fail to thrive. The condition is diagnosed by means of an endoscopic small intestinal biopsy where the mucosal lining of the small intestine is seen to be damaged by inflammation, presumed to be a result of a reaction to the gluten in the diet. There is now a reasonably accurate blood test available for screening. Coeliac disease is treated with a gluten-free diet, which allows the mucosal lining to heal and return towards normal. Screening suggests that the prevalence of the disease in the general population may be as high as 1 in 100, but many cases often go undiagnosed so that the number of diagnosed cases is approximately 1 in 1,000.

Dermatitis Herpetiformis is an itchy skin rash which usually occurs on the elbows, buttocks and knees, although any area of skin may be affected. The condition is due to sensitivity to gluten and patients usually also have a small intestinal abnormality similar to that in coeliac disease. Dermatitis herpetiformis is rare, the prevalence being approximately 1 in 10,000 people. It is particularly rare in children.

Inheritance patterns
Coeliac disease, though not inherited directly, does tend to run in families, there being a 1 in 10 chance of having an affected relative.

Prenatal diagnosis
None

Medical text written January 1995 by the Coeliac Society. Approved January 1995 by Dr P Howdle. Last updated January 2004 by Professor P Howdle, Consultant Physician and Gastroenterologist, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK.

COELIAC UK

Coeliac UK
Suites A-D
Octagon Court
High Wycombe
HP11 2HS
Tel: 0870 444 8804 Helpline
Tel: 01494 437278 Office
Fax: 01494 474349
e-mail: adminsec@coeliac.org.uk
Web: http://www.coeliac.org.uk

Coeliac UK is a National Registered Charity No. 1048167, established in 1968. It offers advice on coping with a gluten-free diet and has a network of regional support groups. It funds research into Coeliac disease and Dermatitis Herpetiformis. It publishes a quarterly Magazine 'Crossed Grain' (free to members) and has a wide range of information available, details on request. Coeliac UK responds to the estimated 42,000 people in the UK with Coeliac disease.

Group details last updated March 2007.