Prevalence of Celiac Disease in U S Rising Rapidly and Becoming Public Health Concern

The prevalence of celiac disease in the United States is rising rapidly according to researchers at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. In fact, the study reports it is four times more common now than in the 1950′s.

Senior author, Dr. Joseph Murray, said “Some studies have suggested that for every person who has been diagnosed with celiac disease, there are likely 30 more who have it but are not diagnosed.”

He also added, “And given the nearly quadrupled mortality risk for silent celiac disease we have shown in our study, getting more patients and health professionals to consider the possibility of celiac disease is important.”

Celiac disease is the intolerance of wheat protein (gluten) that results in symptoms such as frequent diarrhea and a sharp drop in weight. 

Dr. Murray and his fellow researchers warn the disease “is emerging as a substantial public health concern in the United States.”  

The Mayo study appears online in the July issue of the journal of Gastroenterology.

Dr. Alberto Ruio-Tapia, who also took part in the research, said, “The reasons for the increasing prevalence of celiac disease over time will need further study. The most likely explanation may be environmental.”