If the disease-risk alleles are absent, the diagnosis of celiac disease can essentially be excluded, as there is a less than 0.04% chance of developing celiac disease in people that don’t have one or more of these at-risk alleles.
Celiac disease affects 1 in 100 people.
Yes. Celiac disease has an inherited genetic component. Family members of celiac patients have a 10-15% increased risk of celiac disease.
Gastrointestinal symptoms include flatulence, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, weight loss, nausea and vomiting. Non-gastrointestinal symptoms can also occur if severe damage occurs in the intestine. These can include fatigue, migraines, depression, musculoskeletal problems, skin rashes, dental enamel defects, osteoporosis and seizures.
An autoimmune disorder in response to the digestion of gluten. An aberrant immune response severely damages the intestinal lining preventing the absorption of essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals.
Three HLA alleles are identified - HLA-DQA1*05, HLA-DQB1*02 and HLA-DQB1*03:02.
A strict gluten-free diet must be followed for life to allow the damaged intestine to recover and prevent further damage.
Initial screening is based on symptoms and blood tests to detect the levels of several antibodies that arise during an aberrant immune response to gluten. Other laboratory tests identify other abnormalities including altered liver enzymes and low cholesterol. Diagnosis is confirmed by a biopsy from the small intestine to identify the damage and by genetic [...]
The HLA genes encode components of the human leukocyte complex. The HLA complex is an important part of the immune system, helping distinguish between the body’s own proteins and foreign proteins.
No, not everyone who carries one or more of the celiac associated HLA alleles will suffer from celiac disease. Although the presence of each of these alleles increases the lifetime risk of developing celiac disease there are many individuals that have these alleles and never develop celiac disease.