Unrecognised coeliac disease is common in healthcare students

Coeliac disease is a lifelong intolerance to dietary gluten. Untreated it can result in malabsorption, vitamin deficiencies, anaemia, and osteoporosis. Although histology remains the cornerstone of diagnosis, over the past decade serological testing for coeliac disease has facilitated the earlier recognition of coeliac disease and the detection of milder cases.1 Recent studies have suggested that tissue transglutaminase (TTG) antibodies may be used to detect coeliac disease in children with a genetic risk for it.2 Children at high risk for coeliac disease include those with a family history of coeliac disease, autoimmune thyroid disease, insulin dependent diabetes, Down’s syndrome, and Noonan’s syndrome. Serological prevalence data from a number of studies have indicated that coeliac disease may …