Celiac disease is prevalent, but isn't diagnosed often.(Journal Watch)(Brief Article)

Celiac disease occurs in some genetically susceptible people (those with specific HLA haplotypes) when they are exposed to gluten-containing products, such as wheat or barley. In 2001, Finnish investigators retrospectively tested sera that had been obtained in 1994 from an unselected cohort of 3654 children (age range in 1994, 7 to 16 years) for endomysial and tissue transglutaminase antibodies; HLA typing also was done.

In 1994, no child in the cohort had been diagnosed with celiac disease; by 2001, 10 children had been diagnosed (confirmed by biopsy). Fifty-six sera were positive for one or both of the celiac-associated antibodies. Each antibody-positive subject who …