Prevalence and Incidence of Celiac Disease

Prevalance of Celiac Disease:

1 in 250 Americans estimated rate; actual diagnosis rate is 1 in 4,700 Americans; 1 in 250 in Italy; 1 in 300 in Ireland; 20,000 diagnosed (Reader's Digest Feb 2004)

Prevalance Rate:

approx 1 in 249 or 0.40% or 1.1 million people in USA [about data]

Ophanet, who are a consortium of European partners, currently defines a condition rare when if affects 1 person per 2,000. They list Celiac Disease as a "rare disease". More information about Celiac Disease is available from Orphanet

Undiagnosed prevalence of Celiac Disease:

estimated 1 million undiagnosed Americans; more than a million (Reader's Digest Feb 2004)

Undiagnosed prevalence rate:

approx 1 in 272 or 0.37% or 1 million people in USA [about data]

Prevalance of Celiac Disease:

Celiac disease is the most common genetic disease in Europe. In Italy about 1 in 250 people and in Ireland about 1 in 300 people have celiac disease. It is rarely diagnosed in African, Chinese, and Japanese people.

An estimated 1 in 4,700 Americans have been diagnosed with celiac disease. Some researchers question how celiac disease could be so uncommon in the United States since it is hereditary and many Americans descend from European ethnic groups in whom the disease is common. A recent study in which random blood samples from the Red Cross were tested for celiac disease suggests that as many as 1 in every 250 Americans may have it. (Source: excerpt from Celiac Disease: NIDDK)

Prevalence/Incidence of Celiac Disease: Online Medical Books

16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration, for more information about the prevalence and/or incidence of Celiac Disease.

Celiac disease: Causes and incidence
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))

In celiac disease, an intramucosal enzyme defect produces an inability to digest gluten. Resulting tissue toxicity produces rapid cell turnover, increases epithelial lymphocytes, and damages surface epithelium of the small bowel.

Celiac disease affects 1 of every 133 people in the United States and results from environmental factors and a genetic predisposition, but the exact mechanism is unknown. A strong association exists between the disease and two human leukocyte antigen haplotypes, DR3 and DQw2. It may also be autoimmune in nature. It affects twice as many females as males and occurs more commonly among relatives, especially siblings. This disease primarily affects whites and those of European ancestry.

Many diseases and conditions are associated with celiac disease, including:

❑ anemia

❑ lactose intolerance

❑ skin disorders such as dermatitis herpetiformis (a burning, itching, blistering rash)

❑ type 1 diabetes mellitus

❑ thyroid disease

❑ Down syndrome

❑ unexplained infertility or miscarriage

❑ osteoporosis or osteopenia

❑ autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.

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Prevelance of Celiac Disease discussion:

Celiac disease affects children and adults. At least 1 in 1,000 people and, in some populations, 1 in 200 people have celiac disease. Most often, celiac disease first causes symptoms during childhood, usually diarrhea, growth failure, and failure to thrive. But the disease can also first cause symptoms in adults. (Source: excerpt from Facts and Fallacies About Digestive Diseases: NIDDK)

About prevalence and incidence statistics:

The term 'prevalence' of Celiac Disease usually refers to the estimated population of people who are managing Celiac Disease at any given time. The term 'incidence' of Celiac Disease refers to the annual diagnosis rate, or the number of new cases of Celiac Disease diagnosed each year. Hence, these two statistics types can differ: a short-lived disease like flu can have high annual incidence but low prevalence, but a life-long disease like diabetes has a low annual incidence but high prevalence. For more information see about prevalence and incidence statistics.