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Epidemiology of Celiac Disease

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Celiac Disease

Abstract

Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic small intestine immune-mediated enteropathy triggered by exposure to gluten in genetically sensitive individuals (DQ2+ or DQ8+). Gluten is a protein component found in wheat, barley, and rye but not in oats. The CD-related enteropathy is characterized by small intestinal villous atrophy and crypt hyperplasia. These mucosal aberrations most often resolve on a gluten-free diet (GFD). The GFD is currently the only available treatment for CD, although ongoing pharmacological and vaccine trials promise future alternatives.

In this chapter, we review current knowledge about classification and diagnosis of CD, including its prevalence and incidence.

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Correspondence to Jonas F. Ludvigsson M.D., Ph.D. .

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Ludvigsson, J.F., Biagi, F., Corazza, G.R. (2014). Epidemiology of Celiac Disease. In: Rampertab, S., Mullin, G. (eds) Celiac Disease. Clinical Gastroenterology. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8560-5_3

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